https://frogmarsheaston.com frogmarsheaston Fri, 18 Nov 2022 18:54:27 +0000 https://frogmarsheaston.com en https://frogmarsheaston.com/Home Thu, 17 Nov 2022 18:11:45 +0000 frogmarsheaston https://frogmarsheaston.com/Home <img width="2104" height="3072" width_o="2104" height_o="3072" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/3c6ba3a982eb544b6b40de301b71efdd8259fb07aba9f36a250378f8594047cb/illustration-size-front-12x2x2x.jpg" data-mid="161261465" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/3c6ba3a982eb544b6b40de301b71efdd8259fb07aba9f36a250378f8594047cb/illustration-size-front-12x2x2x.jpg" /> <img width="2104" height="3072" width_o="2104" height_o="3072" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/e93884c1d2ca7bfb6210d01519c57d219de59d65a8c14441b4bb8616e74078eb/illustration-size-12x2x.jpg" data-mid="160059642" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/e93884c1d2ca7bfb6210d01519c57d219de59d65a8c14441b4bb8616e74078eb/illustration-size-12x2x.jpg" /> Frog Marsh illustrations, Peter Judson Frog Marsh was built in 2019, after a group of residents campaigned to pedestrianise a busy road in front of a neighbourhood school. Children, residents and a designer worked together to create a social space that promotes safety, play and inclusion. Today, Frog Marsh is a well-loved community space in the heart of Easton, Bristol. https://frogmarsheaston.com/Film-1 Fri, 18 Nov 2022 18:54:27 +0000 frogmarsheaston https://frogmarsheaston.com/Film-1 Frog Marsh film by Bahbak Hashemi-Nezhad https://frogmarsheaston.com/Design Wed, 16 Nov 2022 21:51:40 +0000 frogmarsheaston https://frogmarsheaston.com/Design <img width="2732" height="1950" width_o="2732" height_o="1950" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/054d22c65ca60485d11a209e0726ef96615fbfb56b8587a4488e1bab244251eb/New-12x.jpg" data-mid="160738485" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/054d22c65ca60485d11a209e0726ef96615fbfb56b8587a4488e1bab244251eb/New-12x.jpg" /> Frog Marsh film by Bahbak Hashemi Closing the road Following a 2017 community consultation process, led by Sustrans and Easton Safer Streets, plans were initiated to close busy junction next to Bannerman Road Community Academy. Bannerman Road PTA (the Friends of Bannerman) successfully bid for funding from the Road Safety Trust to commission designer Bahbak Hashemi-Nezhad to create a design for the new pedestrian space. The project was an opportunity to improve children’s journey to and from school, and to help young people understand how their city could be shaped. The artist-led design was developed with input from children at the school, their parents and local residents. <img width="2732" height="1950" width_o="2732" height_o="1950" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/8883af593587e0daef5b9f9e42bfa35c6aaf5450a09a72b10eeee93104a8e02b/Design-12x.jpg" data-mid="160056525" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/8883af593587e0daef5b9f9e42bfa35c6aaf5450a09a72b10eeee93104a8e02b/Design-12x.jpg" /> Photo Justin Yockney Bannerman Road PTA (the Friends of Bannerman), successfully bid for funding from the Road Safety Trust to commission Bahbak Hashemi-Nezhad to create a design for the new pedestrian space that would be created by the closure. Developing a child-led design was an opportunity to give children and families greater visibility in their neighbourhood, and to encourage young people to understand how cities are shaped. <img width="2732" height="1950" width_o="2732" height_o="1950" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/a3017c160541db99ab1ce24c56479e49154aab60da93bb3553d4c1b39bfc7c43/Design-32x.jpg" data-mid="160056527" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/a3017c160541db99ab1ce24c56479e49154aab60da93bb3553d4c1b39bfc7c43/Design-32x.jpg" /> Photo Bahbak Hashemi-Nezhad A question for the crowd Bahbak worked with Year Five children to creatively reimagine the area, which was then a busy junction where two roads met under a railway bridge. They drew, painted, walked, and sculpted; all the time talking and thinking about how it felt to be in the space.<img width="2732" height="1950" width_o="2732" height_o="1950" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/340edb15fd81c806af058456368a87d3633fdf1f37c5a1c3d0e215e5418f9933/Design-22x.jpg" data-mid="160056526" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/340edb15fd81c806af058456368a87d3633fdf1f37c5a1c3d0e215e5418f9933/Design-22x.jpg" /> Photo Bahbak Hashemi-Nezhad The children imagined how the area could be improved in the future – could it be part of the school, a market, cinema, café, gallery, or disco! <img width="2732" height="1950" width_o="2732" height_o="1950" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/7750c6e151578a045ca8acac2e8af22e1e24f9271cc9803142bebb8aed54e730/illustration2x.jpg" data-mid="160738717" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/7750c6e151578a045ca8acac2e8af22e1e24f9271cc9803142bebb8aed54e730/illustration2x.jpg" /> Drawing by workshop participant We made a pizza oven!&nbsp; The children renovated a disused pizza oven found at a local metal scrap yard by the designer, and we temporarily closed the road and turned it into a pizza restaurant. We also held street parties, workshops and coffee mornings so that people could join the conversation about the new space. <img width="2732" height="1950" width_o="2732" height_o="1950" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/712c2264140fd9e45f3eedb802ee914b8acda452ed13baf522c74c4c28fa2adf/Design-52x.jpg" data-mid="160056529" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/712c2264140fd9e45f3eedb802ee914b8acda452ed13baf522c74c4c28fa2adf/Design-52x.jpg" /> Photo Justin Yockney What did we learn? We heard from residents that the design should prioritise:︎︎︎ Safety &nbsp;︎︎︎ The community, togethernes ︎︎︎ Opportunities to increase outdoor activity︎︎︎ Positivity and celebration We set out to design a playful space that is safe, comfortable and has an identity. <img width="2732" height="1950" width_o="2732" height_o="1950" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/56a8c3c08ddfefa76b0425c88bc75cc6bb343905ab11847623a78c1e65ea9391/Design-72x.jpg" data-mid="160075960" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/56a8c3c08ddfefa76b0425c88bc75cc6bb343905ab11847623a78c1e65ea9391/Design-72x.jpg" />Photo Justin Yockney The final design &nbsp; A proposal was developed by Bahbak, along with a series of illustrations by illustrator Peter Judson to share the ideas behind the design with the community. In order to address any local community concerns, and to invite feedback, comments and discussion, the design was shared at resident’s meetings and community events. <img width="2732" height="1950" width_o="2732" height_o="1950" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/d0d2a93ba93eaf64aab5bbac1c399667e2eb9259caa4f690f465624e8e6fe5b9/New-22x.jpg" data-mid="160738789" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/d0d2a93ba93eaf64aab5bbac1c399667e2eb9259caa4f690f465624e8e6fe5b9/New-22x.jpg" /> Photo Justin Yockney “It was really positive that the ideas for the project came from locals and the parents from the school were all involved in the design process” ︎︎︎ Cllr. Pickersgill, Ruth https://frogmarsheaston.com/Space Wed, 16 Nov 2022 21:53:57 +0000 frogmarsheaston https://frogmarsheaston.com/Space <img width="2732" height="1950" width_o="2732" height_o="1950" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/6abdf1510d8a1973db4dc537c21d5e66bb83fbe9bac329747c17e81f3217ccf7/Space-2-22x.jpg" data-mid="160056325" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/6abdf1510d8a1973db4dc537c21d5e66bb83fbe9bac329747c17e81f3217ccf7/Space-2-22x.jpg" /> Photo Bahbak Hashemi-Nezhad A safe space for children The busy junction had issues with speeding and unsafe parking. It had narrow pavements, and no safe crossing point for families walking to school. The Easton Safer Streets proposal included a raised table to slow traffic, and improved lighting and signage. Our design introduced a museum of bollards – a playful collection of different bollards all painted the same colour that skirts the area, and a large coloured surface to indicate a safe space where the experiences of children are prioritised. <img width="2732" height="1950" width_o="2732" height_o="1950" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/fce094aff6cbada12ac0ebf59378eb9985b7884dec6b6584ee57080e46875e65/Home-12x.jpg" data-mid="160738891" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/fce094aff6cbada12ac0ebf59378eb9985b7884dec6b6584ee57080e46875e65/Home-12x.jpg" /> Photo Bahbak Hashemi-Nezhad Sustrans evaluated the project and found that traffic around the school was reduced by 68% across school drop off and collection time, with a 29% increase in people saying they would now walk to the school. The changes to this junction have created a safer space for children, families and local residents to walk and cycle through. Frog Marsh has eliminated a local rat run, reduced traffic speeds, and increased space for play near the school. ︎︎︎ Zoe Banks Gross, Head of Partnerships and Public Affairs, Sustrans&nbsp; <img width="2732" height="1950" width_o="2732" height_o="1950" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/519d6ee15714fa957ade007a2c29ddb26c88f71e63782f3bddebd2337fa9d064/Space-32x2x.jpg" data-mid="160077964" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/519d6ee15714fa957ade007a2c29ddb26c88f71e63782f3bddebd2337fa9d064/Space-32x2x.jpg" /> Photo Justin Yockney A place to come to together Comfort was key to creating an area that encourages communities to come together and socialise. New furniture was designed by Bahbak and colours introduced to create a warm, welcoming space. A small stage (proposed by the children) was included for events and activity.&nbsp; I think that improvements have definitely been made to the Frog Marsh area. The road closure has improved safety and the signage, floor paint and street furniture in bright colours make the area relaxing. ︎︎︎ Local resident <img width="14173" height="10117" width_o="14173" height_o="10117" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/c367d6bbb924dfd859f3608564d09cb47b2863a8c66055794ee76389064a25c7/Space-2.jpg" data-mid="160073494" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/c367d6bbb924dfd859f3608564d09cb47b2863a8c66055794ee76389064a25c7/Space-2.jpg" />Photo Justin Yockney Name the Bridge! The area previously had no name, being known as “the railway bridge outside the school”. Giving the area a name and identity was an opportunity to create a sense of ownership and value.&nbsp; A public vote decided the new name: Frog Marsh, the historical name for this area of Easton, which was known as Frog Marsh until around 1950. A specially designed font was created by Studio Ard.&nbsp; I personally felt that Albion Road was the most successful project in the Easton Safer Streets scheme and I think it is the one with the longest impact... It had the most buy-in from the community in terms of what we were trying to deliver in the rest of Easton as well. ︎︎︎ Project Manager, Easton Safer Streets <img width="2732" height="1950" width_o="2732" height_o="1950" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/9fddd29c02bca54a3c03a2d477e09aabc5207a51c0e1a088be2655ab96e5d0dd/Space-42x.jpg" data-mid="160056299" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/9fddd29c02bca54a3c03a2d477e09aabc5207a51c0e1a088be2655ab96e5d0dd/Space-42x.jpg" />Photo Justin Yockney Celebration A programme of events celebrated this new community resource and brought people together to enjoy the new space. Frog Marsh became a theatre, a market, a classroom and a playground.&nbsp; <img width="2732" height="1950" width_o="2732" height_o="1950" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/a618653ed7072b4735890f9225c286ba69931005256f035cb5df935adee983e4/Space-52x.jpg" data-mid="160056303" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/a618653ed7072b4735890f9225c286ba69931005256f035cb5df935adee983e4/Space-52x.jpg" />Photo Justin Yockney Child Friendly Cities The experiences and ideas of children are central to the design and development of Frog Marsh. As an extension of the classroom, the project supports leaning about the public realm and connects young people to their community. The evaluation found that there was an improved perception of road closures and a greater understanding of road safety and environmental issues, 77% of surveyed residents agreed that the area is safer for walking and cycling and 80% supported the closure.I'd love to see more closures such as this one. The speeds in the area have increased since Covid and we need to create better infrastructure for walking, cycling and families. ︎︎︎ Local resident <img width="2732" height="1950" width_o="2732" height_o="1950" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/f2f749519e85cf7ebfee53da6e181eb8050f674cd0d3e106bddd17b03c8a724b/space2x.jpg" data-mid="160790863" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/f2f749519e85cf7ebfee53da6e181eb8050f674cd0d3e106bddd17b03c8a724b/space2x.jpg" /> Photo Sarah Jones Morris Frog Marsh was presented at Towards the Child Friendly City, an international conference on the movement to promote the health and wellbeing of young people, and to protect children’s rights in the urban environment. It has been profiled in Public Art, ICON and ACD Journal; and presented to students at the University of the West of England, Sheffield Hallam University, and the Royal College of Art. <img width="2732" height="1950" width_o="2732" height_o="1950" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/2a06a4c33aa123b7dd3a460d46478e8a79503de7bc0bf9cae3cd49ee54928d8a/Space-72x.jpg" data-mid="160156587" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/2a06a4c33aa123b7dd3a460d46478e8a79503de7bc0bf9cae3cd49ee54928d8a/Space-72x.jpg" />Photo Bahbak Hashemi-Nezhad “Frog Marsh is an exercise in imagining an experimental permanent public space that addresses road safety, encourages social cohesion in the community, and promotes new imaginative ways for the use of space outdoors.” ︎︎︎ Eszter Steierhoffer, senior curator of the Design Museum https://frogmarsheaston.com/Info Wed, 16 Nov 2022 21:12:05 +0000 frogmarsheaston https://frogmarsheaston.com/Info <img width="2732" height="1950" width_o="2732" height_o="1950" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/540814b3e8350e697fa7c5a17b92128e1917bece7b97c639b3a7b1db25e03b00/Space-12x.jpg" data-mid="160075018" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/540814b3e8350e697fa7c5a17b92128e1917bece7b97c639b3a7b1db25e03b00/Space-12x.jpg" />Photo Bahbak Hashemi-Nezhad We know that forty per cent of safety-related incidents involving children occur in the morning or evening of a school day so this project provided a real opportunity to help keep children safe around school. The work that Bannerman Road PTA has undertaken has made a real impact to the volume of traffic in the area which ultimately will help children stay safe.&nbsp;︎︎︎&nbsp;Sonya Hurt, CEO of The Road Safety Trust Frog Marsh was initiated by Bannerman Road PTA and produced by Lucy Badrocke. The space was designed by Bahbak Hashemi-Nezhad, who worked with children and families from Bannerman Road Community Academy. The project is supported by the Road Safety Trust and Ibstock Enovert. &nbsp;It was delivered in partnership with Easton Safer Streets, Bristol City Council, with support from Sustrans. If you are interested in Frog Marsh or would like to know more about the project please contact&nbsp;frogmarsheaston@gmail.com Our thanks to Studio Ard, Zoe Banks Gross, Charles Farina, Mark Harris, Margaret Hickman, Sahra Hersi, Sarah Jones-Morris, Peter Judson, Sam Kirby, Farhaan Mumtaz, Louise Palomino, Rae Pears, Lynsey Prewett, Ruth Pickersgill, Patrycja Pinkowska, Gaia Rosenberg Colorni, Cathleen Schmitke, Marta Sternberg, Yuri Suzuki, Patrick Williams Website designed by Marta Celio <img width="1845" height="1303" width_o="1845" height_o="1303" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/73f3317ca5e6004393f9aa3bbbf20ab4ecae8de7a0fbbaa4303d6b2f545b6d3d/IBstock.png" data-mid="165663106" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/73f3317ca5e6004393f9aa3bbbf20ab4ecae8de7a0fbbaa4303d6b2f545b6d3d/IBstock.png" /> <img width="1845" height="1303" width_o="1845" height_o="1303" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/abc78637429442756b1793301f30f88d884f3b6032e7a2153243735ea42b7de3/Road-Safety-Logo.png" data-mid="165663147" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/abc78637429442756b1793301f30f88d884f3b6032e7a2153243735ea42b7de3/Road-Safety-Logo.png" /> <img width="1845" height="1303" width_o="1845" height_o="1303" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/6624cfd476ce2fb3ece4ff3191e27ff1e3fc9e78e34db15c946d0097771566e4/Bannerman.png" data-mid="165663068" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/6624cfd476ce2fb3ece4ff3191e27ff1e3fc9e78e34db15c946d0097771566e4/Bannerman.png" />