ABSTRACT
The result might be expected to be a slightly compromised version of the original vision – but it isn’t, it is brilliant! As Shelagh told us, when the sun comes out, as it occasionally does in Bradford, something magical happens. And right on cue, just as the presentations to the assessment team finished, the sun appeared and the atmosphere changed as the space filled with happy, relaxed people. These Bradford people were still learning how to use the space, exploring its possibilities and (there is no other word for it) playing. This is helped greatly by a hands-off style of management. Before it opened, there was a great deal of debate about issues like alcohol, skateboards and bikes and anti-social behaviour. The brave decision was to say that the management would only intervene to prevent behaviour that risked damaging the space or harming its users. We watched kids circling in the water on BMX bikes and at lunchtime people in the surrounding bars were drinking alcohol. The mix of people, however, means that no one group dominates and, so far at least, a happy balance is being maintained. The next step was to programme the space. This started in spectacular fashion with the opening event, which was reminiscent of the best days of the Bradford Festival. Soon after, it hosted the World Curry Festival. At the time of the assessment visit there were plans for the space to be programmed throughout the year although budget and management capacity was limited and the council was aware that it would need to build activity up slowly. However it is a resource for Bradford that the city will learn how to use. The opening of City Park heralded a new confidence in the city. The completion of new offices for Provident Insurance, overlooking the park, secured 1,000 jobs, Bradford was named the first UNESCO City of Film and in 2015 the Westfield shopping centre finally opened, while new plans were agreed for the Odeon. City Park is more than just another fancy water feature. When the history of Bradford’s regeneration is written, it may be seen as the moment when the city’s fortunes at last started to change.
