Rebuilding our community pocket park

Aim: Help us save our pocket park on Upper Perry Hill, rebuilding the planters and creating space for nature and the community in urban Bristol.

Background and need

In 2015 a group of enthusiastic residents came together to transform a grey wall and part of the pavement on Upper Perry Hill, Southville into a ‘pocket park’. We installed a bench for the community to rest and socialise on, three large planters full of herbs, shrubs and bulbs that brought wildlife to a street that doesn’t benefit from front gardens, and a mural highlighting the street’s history painted by a local artist.

Since the pocket park was installed, residents have maintained it, repairing and painting the planters, and adding more plants. Now, eight years later, the wooden planters are rotten and the mural is faded. The planters are collapsing and we desperately need to replace them so that we can all continue to enjoy the wildlife, art and meeting space.

Activities 

The project to install a new pocket park will involve:

• Residents saving the existing plants and disposing of the rotten planters.
• A local artist painting the mural, involving the community in some of the artwork.
• Residents constructing new planters and a bench using durable, sustainable materials.
• Residents replanting the planters using suitable plants.
• Holding a street party to celebrate the new pocket park.

Impact

The impact of the rebuilt street pocket will be:

• Increased access to nature and wildlife in an urban area, leading to improved wellbeing and enhancing the wildlife corridor between Dame Emily Park and the New Cut
• Increased access to herbs and vegetables which can be used for cooking, reducing food miles
• Increased access to art, and improved understanding of the street’s history as a pear orchard, increasing pride in the local area
• Increased opportunities for residents to socialise together, both during the regular work parties, or in an ad hoc manner, increasing community cohesion

Costs

During phase 1 we are fundraising for the costs of the planters and bench. 

Sustainable materials for planters and bench, including delivery and screws £3,000

Soil £400

Liner for planters £150

Total: £3,550

All labour will be done by local volunteers. We are also seeking small grants to support the project and will approach garden centres for plant donations.

The pocket park in 2015

The pocket park now

“Whenever I walk past the pocket park, it puts a smile on my face. I love seeing the bulbs popping through, and smelling the herbs.” Local resident

“I’ve met so many neighbours through the planters. We take care of the plants together and it’s a lovely place to sit in warmer weather. It really adds to the sense of community on the street.” Local resident

Thank you for your support in keeping this little corner of South Bristol filled with nature.