Greville Smyth Park

I visited Ashton Park (Greville Smyth Park formally but locally always known as Ashton Park) on Sunday 10th November 2019.

It is one of those places that is always there, like a Church, Salvation Army, Public House, Bridge and so on. Land donated by the Greville-Smyth family for a Public Park, been here for generations.

It is always a place of tranquillity and happiness to get lost in, spend time in. Mostly flat open spaces with paths and trees, with the frontage lined with trees and stone walls and entrance pillars. Sloping up to the right with paved, stone lined steps and grassy slopes with trees where at the top a Bowls Club and Tennis Club are also found. Right round the perimeter at the back is the A3029 and A370, Ashton Road at the front. At the rear are routes where you can walk your way out of the Park to the Avon Locks and riverside either side whether you go left to the overpass which may involve steps or walking under it or right crossing the road by the bonded warehouse, the latter gives an excellent view of the Clifton Suspension Bridge. Benches are to be found all around the park. A very colourful bed of plaques, flowers and other surrounding greenery and trees is just to the right of the entrance where the path runs up a hill.

There has always been a play area in the tarmacked centre. Always featuring a set of Swings, a Roundabout and a Slider, latterly some play animals on springs for younger children to ride. Either way all suitable for a wide range of ages of children as the Swings always used to have a couple of baskets for the very young and a couple of normal swings.

The flat area to the left has a path and was and is very often used for football with the pitches lined out, very good for Frisbee’s too I note.

It has always been the case for several regulations to comply with, such as all dogs on leads and clear up and no (like Queen’s Square) barbecues on the grass. Unfortunately, not always complied with, dogs often run free and the latter in summer often ignored by visitors, yet all is indicated at the main entrance and the side entrance in Ashton Road. If not too busy with football and people you can ride your pedal bike all around it, especially at the far end.

I am sad to note that the Play Area as I mentioned that has always been there has disappeared, all equipment having been removed, just leaving open tarmac.

A huge new play area has been put in and fenced off, accessed by a gate at the entrance end and a stile at the far end. The fencing extends from the rear edge of the tarmac alongside the path leading to the rear of the park and off up the slope to the right alongside that path to the top of the slope. In all a huge area completely enclosed and now inaccessible to most. So, the flat areas to the left and at the very top of the slope. What can children do on the slope that is enclosed? Roll down it?

The equipment also is new and seems tailored exclusively to young children due to its configuration (the swings are all basket seats) and size. I expect any child from 8 years up and certainly in double figures would be unable to use it due to the size. There is a patch to the left of the tarmac where Ice Cream vans or trailers used to park but I don’t remember it ever being paved so that must be very recent.

Well as problems mentioned. I have never seen any sign of a Park Warden, or any sign of any Policeman ever appearing in the Park.

I am deeply upset personally about the changes, as I really liked the old setup and like the park it was always there, scruffy latterly but functional just a bit of TLC. The new equipment is not with a wide age of children in mind and I am hoping the fencing off is to prevent dogs from routinely getting in. One never had a safety problem with tarmac, and I note in recent years there was the new safety tarmac (looks like it but soft and springy to touch) in case one fell off.

The nice thing about it, is it is always there and never changes.

A lovely, enchanting green space of fun and happiness which I still highly recommend!

Gorgeous park with some incredible big trees that have a lot of benches to sit as well. Will be great to have some garden beds for flower and herbs that could be for community usage as well.

Nice place for a day out with the family. My son enjoyed the playground a lot!

A beautiful park filled with smiles and street art.
If you are a dog walker or just love dogs this place is such a dream. Dogs everywhere!
Lots of bins and kept clean and tidy. Unfortunately the public toilets are no longer open which I believe is a huge shame.

A lush green space located in the heart of the hustle and bustle of the city which provides ample space for a walkers, joggers, dog owners and sports enthusiasts alike!

Big open space for dog walking and sports, or for just sitting and 'people watching '. Large children's play area. Some unusual trees. No toilets.

Lovely open spaces and beautiful greenery

Grenville Smyth Park is located near Bristol City football ground on one side and the Cumberland basin on the other. It had a children's play ground, tennis courts and a bowling green. It is close to the cafes and shops of North street.