The most significant item scheduled for discussion was a petition to install an outdoor gym in Blaise Estate. The meeting also included an update on Community Resources and a request from Tree Bristol, a local tree planting charity, for funding from Section 106 contributions to plant trees in the area.

Petition to install a calisthenics park in Blaise Estate

A petition, signed by 439 people, was submitted to the council requesting the installation of a calisthenics park at Blaise Castle Estate.

The petition, organised by John Whitmarsh, argues that This initiative is crucial for the well-being of our community and will provide an accessible, inclusive space for fitness, social interaction, and mental health support. It goes on to argue that such a park would improve the lives of people in the area by:

• Providing free and accessible exercise facilities.
• Promoting positive mental health.
• Building a stronger community.
• Inspiring young people to be more active.

The petition highlights similar parks in Europe as examples of the benefits such facilities can bring. It goes on to suggest that Blaise Castle Estate would be an ideal location for the park due to its size, scenery and popularity.

The petition requests that the council:

conduct a feasibility study and allocating resources to install a calisthenics park at Blaise Castle Estate. By doing so, you will be investing in the health, happiness, and cohesion of our community.

Under the council's petition scheme, Mr Whitmarsh was permitted to give a presentation to the meeting lasting up to 5 minutes, and the committee were then scheduled to discuss the matter for up to 15 minutes. The committee was then scheduled to decide to note the petition and take no further action, or to support the petition in principle and refer it to a future funding round.

Community Resources Update

The meeting included a report on the work of the Community Resources team, and on the progress of projects that had been funded in previous meetings.

The report highlighted that £13,477.68 is available to the committee from Section 106 contributions that are ringfenced for tree planting.

Tree Planting Proposals

The final item on the agenda was a request from Tree Bristol for £12,909 to plant trees in the area.

Tree Bristol is a partnership between Bristol City Council and other organisations. The report states that the aim of Tree Bristol is to help Bristol City Council to meet its objective of doubling the city's tree canopy by 2046. The report explains the benefits of tree planting, stating that Tree planting contributes to both of the One City targets as well as many other attendant benefits such as habitat creation for wildlife, pollution absorption and reducing the urban heat island effect.

The report lists 12 sites where Tree Bristol propose to plant trees, and the species of tree that it would like to plant. The sites include:

• Shirehampton Park
• Southwood Estate
• Bindon Drive
• Knole Lane
• Elderberry Walk Open Space
• Okebourne Road Open Space
• Pen Park Road Open Space

The report explains Tree Bristol's equality and diversity policies, its experience and capability to carry out the work and its proposed timetable. It also confirms that Tree Bristol has the landowner's permission to plant at all of the proposed sites.