Families in Bath are celebrating the opening of a newly upgraded play area at Alice Park, offering children more space and exciting new equipment to enjoy.
The improvements, led by the Alice Park Subcommittee with support from Bath & North East Somerset Council, were officially unveiled on Saturday (20 September) with a ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by local families.
The new facilities include rope trail swings, timber play equipment designed for under-5s, and impact-absorbing surfacing that blends naturally into the park setting. The play space has also been extended, with the perimeter fence moved to create a larger picnic area under the pine trees where families can relax together.
Parents have also welcomed the changes. Jonathan Harris, dad to two boys aged two and seven, said: “The new playground at Alice Park is simply a massive improvement; it feels much more aimed at parents having fun with their children, rather than just observing. It’s safer, much more in keeping than the old park, and keeps our boys entertained for hours.”
The £125,000 upgrade was made possible by funding secured by the Alice Park Trust, including £75,000 from the council’s Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL).
Phase 2 of the project is now being planned, with a focus on facilities for older children—particularly girls aged between nine and 14. Families and local businesses are invited to support the next stage through donations or sponsorship.
Cllr Joanna Wright, Chair of Alice Park Trust, added: “The new play area looks wonderful, feels safer and more welcoming, and sits naturally within the park. Thank you to everyone who supported Phase 1. We look forward to working with families and the community on the next stage of improvements.”
Alice Park is managed by the Alice Park Trust Sub-Committee on behalf of Bath & North East Somerset Council, which is the sole trustee of the park.
You can read a full review of a family visit to the new park in the latest issue of The Bath & Wiltshire Parent – Bath’s biggest magazine.
