Play Areas are a valuable part of our parks and are loved by children and their parents and grandparents alike. We have recently updated some schemes, such as the flagship Play Area at Alexandra Park which offers inclusive play, quiet sensory areas and safer surfacing.
Last week, at the Council’s budget meeting, we agreed to invest £3.5million – including money from developers as part of planning agreements – over five years to fund a major programme of improvements to Play Areas right across the town.
All Play Areas to be developed will see equipment upgrades and, in some cases, will be improved to become an even better type, such as changing from a “neighbourhood” facility to a “destination” one that is so good people will make a special journey to visit it.
Next week we will consider the plans in detail at the Council’s Executive meeting and outline which play areas will be improved in the coming year. These are planned to include Alderman Road Rec, Castle Hill Rec, Fen Bight Circle, Gippeswyk Park, Hawke Road and Holywells Park. The details are here - page 97.
Cllr Philip Smart, Ipswich Borough Council Portfolio Holder for Environment and Climate Change, says:
“It is right that we are making our well-regarded Play Areas even more of a priority with further of them on the way across the town as new ones are provided near new housing developments.
We are investing a million pounds in Play Areas in 2022/23, including £180,000 on Castle Hill Rec and £250,000 in Holywells Park on improvements. This commitment shows that our new Play Area Strategy is a step-change improvement to make our Play Areas even better.
Photo: Christchurch Park Play Area – credit: Ipswich Borough Council
