A significant transformation of the play area at Alice Park in Bath is set to begin on 7 July, thanks to £125,000 in funding secured by the Alice Park Trust.
Bath & North East Somerset Council will carry out the works, which are due to be completed by the end of the summer holidays. The upgrade will feature exciting new equipment including a roundabout, rope trail swings, and pick-up sticks. A redesigned entrance is also part of the project.
The park’s fencing will be repositioned to bring several trees into the play space offering shaded spots ideal for family picnics.
This first phase of improvement works paves the way for the planting of a Sycamore Gap sapling, named the ‘Tree of Care’, which will take place on National Care Day, 21 February 2026.
The ‘Tree of Care’ was named by Bath & North East Somerset Council’s Children in Care Team and symbolises both the achievements and the ongoing challenges faced by children in care and care-experienced young people.
Alice Park was chosen as one of 49 locations across the country to receive a ‘Tree of Hope’ sapling, a project spearheaded by the National Trust, announced in November 2024.
Improvement works will run from 7 July through to 24 August, during which time parts of the play area will be temporarily closed to allow for the upgrades.
Alice Park has served as a cherished play space for Bath’s children since it was gifted to the city’s young people in 1937. It remains a popular local destination. The park is held in trust by Bath & North East Somerset Council and overseen by the Alice Park Trust Sub-Committee, under delegation from the Charitable Trust Board.
Councillor Joanna Wright, Chair of the Alice Park Trust, said:
Green Party councillor Joanna Wright, Chair of the Alice Park Trust, said:“Over many years the Alice Park Committee has been working hard to ensure that new play facilities in Alice Park were put in place, as we recognise that the present facilities are very limited. On completion of this first phase, the play area still needs additional work to be delivered to improve the whole of the play area. Further funds still need to be raised and any contribution that you can make to help us raise £250.000 will be gratefully received. To make a donation for the Alice Park Play Area please go to: https://www.bathnes.gov.uk/donate-alice-park-play-project”
The current £125,000 funding package includes £75,000 from the Bath Community Infrastructure Levy, with generous contributions of £25,000 each from the Medlock Trust and Roper Rhodes.