Welcome to Ipswich Borough Council's Children's Play Service. Based at the new Landseer Centre (previously Landseer Play Centre), the service provides children's play activities around Ipswich.
Landseer Centre
Hogarth Road
Ipswich
Suffolk
IP3 0EY
Tel: (01473) 433661
Our vision
To provide a town that will be child friendly where all children and young people have access to play opportunities, which offer variety, adventure and stimulus. They will be able to play freely and safely and make choices about where, how and when they play.
What we offer
The Landseer Centre on Hogarth Road is an open access play centre for children and young people aged 8–14 (children under 8 must be accompanied by an adult). It is a safe environment where children and young people can socialise with friends, be creative and join in with a variety of sporting activities both after school and during school holidays.
You can download the 2007 Ipswich Play Strategy here (PDF document: 227Kb).
Opening Hours
March to October
Monday, Wednesday & Friday: 3.30pm to 6.30pm
Every other Saturday: 10.30am to 1.00pm & 2.00pm to 4.00pm
October to April
Monday, Wednesday & Friday: 3.00pm to 5.30pm
Every other Saturday: 10.30am to 1.00pm & 2.00pm to 4.30pm
During School Holidays
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday & Friday: 10.30am to 2.00pm & 3.00pm to 6.00pm
(these times may be subject to variation)
Please Note:
- We are not open on Bank Holidays
- The Centre and play area are strictly non-smoking
- Dogs are not permitted on the play area or in the Centre
National Playday - 6th August 2008
Ipswich Borough Council's Children's Play Team will be celebrating National Playday on Wednesday 6th August 2008. This year's theme is 'Risk In Play' and all children, parents and carers are encouraged to come and join in. For more details on this year's event call (01473) 433661.
Doorstep Play Project
Our Doorstep Play Project provides free open access play provision for children and young people aged 7–11 on a turn up and play basis. The project visits local parks, play spaces and open greens around Ipswich. Below are some of the places we have visited in the past, and that will no doubt appear again this summer:
- Bramford Lane
- Dumbarton Park
- Alexandra Park
- Ravenswood
- Murray Road
- Dickens Road
The Doorstep Play Project offers activities whatever the weather! Previous activities have included; mask making, kites, rounders, painting, flags, processions, football, cricket, rounders, stories, skipping, hopscotch, card making, junk modelling, face painting and dressing up, miniature gardens and more. (All activities are dependent on the weather and location.)
Please Note:
- Unaccompanied younger children cannot be catered for on the Doorstep Play Project.
- Play Workers are unable to ensure children do not join and leave the Project at their own choosing.
Big Lottery Fund Success
Ipswich Borough Council's Play Service has been successful in receiving a Big Lottery fund grant of £301,317. This funding will be focused on three separate play projects, in order to provide better choice and increased provision across the town.
- Chantry Park Adventure Play area
This will be an inclusive play area for all children, in an area that has been identified within Ipswich's Fixed Play Strategy Needs Analysis. It has already been consulted on with children and young people and the design of the area will be created working with the Thomas Wolsey School and other local schools. It will replace an existing play area, and will incorporate sensory planting and landscaping. - Doorstep Play Project
This project will extend play opportunities for children and young people in Ipswich by offering a mobile play service to run throughout school holidays as well as two evenings a week during the summer term-time. The grant enables additional play worker support as well as the purchase of a van to transport staff and equipment to the different locations in Ipswich. This inclusive project will provide a variety of activities offering challenging and exciting play, to children with a range of abilities. - Bramford Lane Recreation Youth facility
This area on the outskirts of Ipswich has a high population of 10-19 year olds and a significant lack of facilities. The successful installation of a Skatepark in Ipswich town centre demonstrated that involving young people in the planning and implementation of a site helped to encourage ownership and respect. Following these findings, young people in the 10-19 age group within the Bramford Lane area were consulted on what they would like to see developed in the area. As a result, a Skate and Ball game area with a meeting point for older youths is to be built. The project will create an area where young people can 'hang out' and mix together in a positive atmosphere, improving community spirit for all residents.
For further details on any of the above projects please contact Carl Murton:
Tel: (01473) 433661
Email: carl.murton@ipswich.gov.uk