11 The main purpose of building Greenbridge Park was to
A provide facilities for community sports and leisure activities. B improve access between two areas of the town. C protect wildlife along the river.
12 Why was the central fountain installed?
A to replace an older monument B to create a meeting point C to improve water circulation
13 The cycle lane around the park is mainly intended for
A local commuters. B children learning to ride. C recreational visitors.
14 When was the outdoor gym added to the park?
A during the initial construction B one year after the park opened C as part of a recent upgrade
Questions 15–20
Label the map below. Write the correct letter, A–H, next to Questions 15–20.
15 bike rental station 16 viewing platform 17 children’s playground 18 picnic area 19 first aid point 20 drinking water station
Keys
11 A 12 B 13 C 14 C 15 A 16 B 17 C 18 D 19 F 20 H
Transcript
Part 2: You will hear a guide giving visitors an introduction to the layout and facilities of Greenbridge Park.
Good evening everyone, and welcome. I’m Dr Helen Murray, and tonight I’ll be talking to you about the development and current layout of Greenbridge Park. Greenbridge Park is now one of the most popular public spaces in the area, but its origins are rather unusual. In the early 1900s, this part of town was mainly industrial land, with warehouses and storage yards near the river. When several of those businesses closed, the land stood empty for a number of years.
The local authority eventually purchased the site, not to improve transport links, as some people have suggested, but specifically to create a shared outdoor space for residents. At the time, there were very few facilities for exercise or leisure activities in this district. At first, some councillors thought improving transport links would be more beneficial. However, after reviewing local surveys, the council decided that creating recreational facilities should be the main priority. Improved access between different neighbourhoods happened later, but that was never the main reason for establishing the park.
At the heart of the park you will see the large fountain. Some people assumed it was purely decorative, and a few even believed it replaced an older structure. In reality, it was intended as a meeting point.
Encircling the park is a designated cycle path. While it is occasionally used by people commuting to work, it was designed mainly with recreational users in mind. The council wanted families and casual cyclists to have a safe route away from traffic.
The outdoor gym equipment that you may have noticed near the southern pathway was not part of the original plan. It was introduced relatively recently following a public consultation process. Several residents had requested more fitness facilities, and the installation formed part of a wider upgrade programme.
Now let me take you through the layout carefully.
If you enter from the West Gate, the bike rental station is immediately inside the entrance and slightly south of the main path. Walking north from there towards the river, you will reach the viewing platform positioned along the northern edge beside the water. If you then follow the riverside path eastwards, the children’s playground is located in the north east corner, close to the East Gate.
Now return towards the centre of the park and you will see the large fountain where the main paths cross. Just above the fountain and to the left, in the upper left section inside the circular path, is the picnic area. It lies in the north west part of the central layout and is separated from the river by the outer walkway.
Moving across to the opposite side of the fountain but remaining in the upper half of the park, you will find the information centre. It is on the eastern side, slightly above the horizontal path that runs through the middle.
If you continue further down on the eastern side, below that central path and closer to the south east section, you will reach the first aid point. In the lower right part of the park, near the curved outer path, is the outdoor gym.
Finally, the drinking water station is in the south west section of the park. To find it, walk directly south from the fountain towards the South Gate. It is in the lower left part of the park, below the picnic area and separated from it by the central path.
