St James' Park has recently undergone extensive restoration and improvement works under a parks for people project, jointly funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund, Big Lottery Fund and Southampton City Council, in partnership with Friends of St James' Park (FoSJP). The park has a new community cafe, new entrances, botanical and scenic walks, new trees and landscaping, a completely refurbished children's playground, a climbing wall and outdoor gym equipment and new tennis courts.
These are just some of the comments people have made about the new park.
• “Awesome! It’s good. It’s clever there are not other parks like it.”
• “It’s beautiful it feels like you have gone to the seaside.”
• “I think it’s lovely really, really beautiful place.”
• “I think the park is cool and amazing.”
• “I think it’s stunning. I think there is so much here for the children and there’s a cup of tea here for us.”
• “I think it’s wonderful and I will bring my great grandson here that’s for sure.”
• “I love it, it looks fantastic. Money well spent. We’re going to live here in the summer.”
• “We will be coming here on the way to and from school every single day. It is extremely adventurous and my daughter loves it.”
• “We love the palm trees. The palm trees are fabulous.”
• “It’s absolutely wonderful it’s just so exciting and there are so many things to do. It’s brilliant.”
• “I’m 12 years old and I think it is really awesome.”
• “It’s modern with facilities like the gym and the zip wire is very good.”