Disabled people experience ‘disproportionate barriers’ to Bristol parks

An investigation by Your Park Bristol and Bath has revealed a bleak picture when it comes to accessibility in many of Bristol’s parks.

The research found that disabled people experience a disproportionate number of barriers, making it harder for them to access parks and green spaces than other groups.

Issues such as unsafe paths, inaccessible play equipment, and inadequate toilet facilities came up time and time again as the reasons why people struggled to enjoy parks.

Nicole Rumney from Keynsham, a mum of three and former carer to people with special educational needs and disabilities, who herself suffers from a number of conditions that cause mobility issues and pain, said: “Parks are really important to me because they are where I relax, exercise and meet friends and family. But I can’t use them because they don’t have accessible toilets and there isn’t enough seating.

A path that turned into a mudslide in Arnos Court Park was heavily criticised for being virtually “unusable” – photo: Martin Booth

“On the few occasions I have been, I can only use a tiny area because there are steep pathways without railings so I can’t get around. I miss out on days out with my family and I wish I didn’t have to.”

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Read more: New path in park becomes mudslide
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According to Your Park, one in three people living locally has a disability of some kind or cares for someone who couldn’t manage without their support.

The charity now wants to ensure they can access safe, inclusive and welcoming parks and is calling on local organisations, individuals and community groups to work in partnership on a series of actions over the next three years.

The actions include a community consultation and creating the first community-led park access assessment, as well as introducing inclusive recreation such as sensory tours and accessible nature volunteering.

Discussing the findings, Charlee Bennett, CEO of Your Park Bristol & Bath, said: “We wanted to understand better the barriers for disabled people and unpaid carers, both adults and children. It’s sad to say that the results weren’t unexpected, but when you see the extent of the hurdles that must be overcome just to go to the park, it is shocking.

“Our research participants told us how they have to meticulously plan visits, anticipating every potential problem. Parent carers carrying tents so they can change their child in private, searching for play areas that have suitable equipment, or wheelchair users mapping the complex journey to the park entrance.

“Sadly, many of these visits ended badly – we heard about wheelchair users getting stuck in gates, sand getting into important medical equipment, disabled people being shamed out of play areas and closed toilets cutting visits short.”

The charity said that improvements often feel like a “check boxes exercise”.

“We clearly heard that for things to change, parks need to be looked at as a whole. There’s no point installing an accessible toilet if there is no disabled parking, or the pathways aren’t suitable,” said Charlee.

She also warns that the recently announced council budget cuts to park services will only exacerbate the impact on disabled people and carers but hopes community activism can galvanise support to make their recommendations a reality.

Your Park is also offering a survey for disabled people and unpaid carers to complete, to help the charity continue to build a detailed understanding of their experience.

Main photo: Martin Booth

Read more:

• Central library could move as part of council cuts
• How a man who wants a bright future for Castle Park is being targeted by trolls
• ‘I just want my disabled daughter to have a safe garden to play in’
• ‘Access to public toilets is an equalities issue’

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