Castle Park Workshop: Community Voices- weekday afternoon

This workshop will be held in the ground floor 'Discovery Room' at Sparks, Bristol.

As part of ‘Castle Park Conversations’ we’re hosting a series of creative workshops and events to help further develop the future vision for Castle Park. In this workshop we’re prioritising voices from communities who face the greatest barriers to accessing and enjoying public space.

Join us for a creative, inclusive workshop exploring how parks, green spaces, and public places can better serve everyone.

This workshop is especially for:

• Disabled people
• Ethnically minoritised communities
• LGBTQ+ people
• Faith groups
• Women
• Older people

Why would we particularly like to connect with these groups?

We know that people who identify with these characteristics can face more barriers to accessing and enjoying open space.

Your lived experience can help shape more inclusive, joyful public spaces for all.

Whether you’ve faced barriers to accessing open space, or have ideas for making it more welcoming, your insight matters.

Background

Castle Park sits at the heart of a rapidly changing Bristol. It’s an important place with a history stretching back to the city’s beginnings in the 11th century.

Everyone who lives and works in Bristol should feel that they can use and enjoy the city’s parks and green spaces.

Read more about Castle Park development here bristol.gov.uk/castleparkregen

What can you expect?

We’ll be diving into some of the project’s key themes, like play, safety and accessibility, and inviting your ideas for how we can deliver them successfully. We’ll also test some of our current thinking with you, and explore what might be getting in the way of people enjoying the park. Together, we’ll explore how to make Castle Park welcoming and usable for everyone.

Refreshments will be provided.

How do you take part?

Numbers to this in-person session will be on a first-come, first served basis. To secure your space please sign up here on Eventbrite, as spaces may fill up quickly.

What if you can’t make it or there are no spaces left?

We are running 3 workshops for these groups:

• Wednesday 22 October, 2pm-4pm @ Sparks (Ground Floor Discovery Room)
• Thursday 23 October, 5.45pm-6.45pm @ Sparks (Ground Floor Discovery Room)
• Saturday 25 October, 1pm-3pm @ Sparks (Second Floor)

Alternatively we will be delivering a number of public pop-up events in Castle Park in October, based near St Peter’s Church:

• Friday 3 October, 10.30am-2pm
• Tuesday 7 October, 12.30pm-4pm
• Wednesday 8 October, 10.30am-2pm
• Saturday 11 October, 11am-3pm (this event will include family, creative and play activities)

For further information and updates please visit bristol.gov.uk/castleparkregen

There will be further public events held in Spring 2026.

You can also share your thoughts by:

• Email: castlepark@distinctivecomms.co.uk
• Post: Freepost DISTINCTIVE
• Freephone: 0330 107 0535

Previous work on Castle Park

This phase of engagement builds on years of discussion and planning for Castle Park, including Bristol City Council’s consultation in 2022.

This consultation spoke to a range of groups through meetings, workshops and an online survey, featuring an interactive map, which generated more than 300 responses.

You can read the feedback shared on page 113 in this report.

Over the past decade the surrounding area has seen Bristol’s most rapid population growth and significant development.

We want to:

• build on the work we’ve already done
• work with you to make sure Castle Park continues to reflect our changing city

Access information

Bristol City Council recognises the Social Model of Disability.

This venue and its toilets are wheelchair accessible.

Do you need a BSL interpreter? Do you have any questions about accessing this event? Please contact us if you have any questions or specific access needs: jenny@playdisrupt.com

This event will involve some hands-on art and craft activities and writing. PA’s are very welcome to join you for this event, just tick the ‘I will be bringing my PA’ box when booking.

If you require travel or childcare support in order to attend this event, please contact jenny@playdisrupt.com.

We will send all participants a description of the activities we will be doing together before the workshop, and all activities can be adapted as required.

Sparks (ground floor and 2nd floor)

Address: Sparks Bristol, 78 Broadmead, Bristol, BS1 3DS.

How to get here: The nearest bus stops are Union Street and The Horsefair, which are a short walk from Sparks.

Parking: The location is a 12-minute walk from Cabot Circus Car Park. If you are looking to avoid the clean air zone charge, you can enter the car park from the M32 by using the car park's entrance/exit on Houlton Street and turn left to go back towards Lawrence Hill to exit the zone, or turn right to exit the zone via Wade Street and the M32.

Additional accessibility information:

Wide aisles and level access to the ground floor for wheelchair and pushchair users.

Sparks have a service lift that provides access to the upper floors. The second floor includes toilets, with an accessible toilet available.

Explore Sparks before your visit with our 3D model – ideal for visitors who like to plan ahead.3D Model – CLICK HERE to view.

Quiet safe space - The Sparks Nature Department features a Joey Pod, a calming pod designed for neurodiverse visitors

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