North East & Yorkshire

Bradford’s City Park arrives

Bradford City Park

The UK’s largest city centre water feature has been unveiled in Bradford as part of Bradford City Council’s plans to regenerate the city.

The landmark project is part of the City Park development and is set to become a talking point for residents and visitors to the city.

Officially opened in March 2012, City Park is a 2.4ha area of public space that has been constructed in front of the Grade I listed, 19th century City Hall. City Park comprises a 4,000 sq m reflective mirror pool with a stunning water fountain, three reconstituted stone sculptures and two pieces of public art that have been designed to look like steel reeds and rushes.

Bradford City Park

The water feature was designed to provide an architectural connection to Bradford’s industrial history and contains the country’s tallest urban fountain, which can sprout water up to a height of 100 ft. A hardwood boardwalk with a width of 4 metres surrounds the pool and will allow brave Bradford residents the opportunity to dip their feet in the water during the warmer months.

New lighting will ensure that City Park looks just as stunning after dark, whilst sustainable features such as rainwater capture have also been incorporated.

Bradford City Park

A bus canopy and an earth-covered pavilion have also been constructed, with the pavilion comprising an office for onsite staff, a control room, public toilets and a fountain plant room.

Birse Civils was the main contractor, whilst Gillespies was the lead consultant and landscape architect and Sturgeon North Architects was the building architect. Arup provided civil, structural, geotechnical and M&E services.

 Bradford Mirror Pool City Park

Gillespies Company Partner, Tom Walker, said:

“We designed City Park as a beautiful public space with water at its heart. Water was the engine for the success of Bradford during the industrial revolution and we are confident that water will once again act as the catalyst for the regeneration of the city over the next decade.

Bradford City Park

“This new centrepiece for Bradford acts as a pivotal focal point and gives Bradford a new postcard identity with the unique dynamic mirror pool and high quality landscape. Its magnificent grand public spaces promise to delight both local people and visitors.”

Bradford Council’s Executive Member for Regeneration and Economy, David Green, added:

“City Park promises to bring great long-term benefits to the city and the Bradford district as a whole. It provides a brilliant place for people to relax, meet friends or family or enjoy a breath of fresh air within the city and will also be capable of hosting large and small-scale events.

Bradford City Park

“In creating such high-quality public space we aim to make the area more attractive to visitors, residents and businesses. City Park has been designed to act as a magnet for inward investment and forms a key part of our ongoing work to support the city centre economy.”

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