Welcome to the Friends Of Greville Smyth Park website

FrOGS is a community-based group working to improve all aspects of Greville Smyth Park in Ashton, South Bristol. Over the past four years the group has helped secure new play and sports facilities, hosted a number of popular events and seen the establishment of a Wildflower Meadow. In partnership with local residents, schoolchildren, charitable bodies and the City Council, FrOGS have helped revitalise the oldest public park in Bristol.

Some of FrOGS acheivements so far:

With help from the Lottery Commision and the City Council, the tennis courts have been improved and with new nets and a thriving Tennis Club formed. Greville Smyth park is a major venue for Saturday League football and with FrOGS' support the park has seen the return of Ashton Boys Football Team for their training sessions.

Following consultations with park-users and local residents, FrOGS secured funds for the installation of new play equipment. The existing fenced play area was extended and a New Play Area for older children, featuring more adventurous structures was installed during the Summer of 2006 and new toddler play-equipment shortly after Easter 2007.

For teenage park-users, aYouth Shelter has been built by local arts group, Touchwood with active participation of local teenagers and 5-a-side goalpost erected close by. FrOGS have supported Youth Workers to engage with teenage park users who have, with their help, produced a film that has toured local schools and produced a photographic exhibition which was held in the park.

We've organised a number of successful events. Lazy Sunday has become a popular annual event, giving local people the chance to come together and enjoy a showcase of local musical talent. Two annual activity days -'Your Park' - have presented local younsters with a variety of challenges: a climbing wall, BMX trail, circus skills workshops and coach-led football sessions. This Summer, the park hosted the finish of the popular annual cycling event, Bristol's Biggest Bike Ride.

New vandal proof litter-bins have been introduced and we're looking forward to the ongoing installation of new benches. We've campaigned successfully for the renovation of the park's splendid Victorian public toilets and have also succeeded in gaining a full-time park-keeper.

The group has built up good relations with local Police and the Council in addressing anti-social behaviour. As a result Greville Smyth Park is enjoying a renewed popularity with all sections of the community and offering a practical example for the ways people can improve their local park.

Currently, FrOGS are working with the City Council to draw up a long-term development plan for the park, including ambitious plans for renovating the present pavilion, dedicated activity areas, establishing wildlife habitats and tree-planting. For details of these plans and how you can have your say about the future of the park please click here.