Work has begun on a new inclusive play area and outdoor fitness space at Alderman Road Recreation Ground. When it’s finished, children aged one to 14 will have a place to play, learn and be active together, and teenagers and adults will have free exercise equipment alongside them.
The scheme is part of Ipswich Borough Council’s £3.5 million Play Area Strategy. The strategy is investing in modern, high-quality play facilities across the town. The council expects the work at Alderman Road to be finished by March 2027, weather permitting.
95 play features, designed for everyone
The council says the design aims to be welcoming, accessible and engaging. It includes 95 play features, and many of them are chosen so that children of different abilities can play side by side. They include:
- wheelchair-accessible play equipment
- sensory and musical installations
- communication and sign language panels
- inclusive swings and accessible seesaws
- a climbing net, spinning equipment, a cableway and hammocks
Not every child wants to be on the move all the time. The design also includes quiet spaces and accessible seating areas, so children can choose between active play and calmer activities. Families and carers will have somewhere comfortable to sit too.
A play area with a Suffolk accent
Some of the equipment has been designed around local identity, taking its inspiration from Suffolk and from Ipswich Town Football Club. The bespoke features include:
- a Suffolk Punch horse springer
- a “Tractor Boys and Girls” multi-play unit
- a custom “Bluey” mascot play structure
Fitness for the wider family
The project also reaches beyond younger children. A dedicated outdoor fitness area will have exercise equipment connected to the park’s existing pathways. The council says this will give older children, teenagers and adults the chance to exercise outdoors for free in a safe and attractive setting. A parent could, for example, keep an eye on younger children nearby while using the equipment.
Councillor Stefan Long, Portfolio Holder for Environment and Sport, said:
“The combination of inclusive play equipment, sensory features, outdoor fitness facilities and local-themed play experiences will make this one of the most exciting play destinations in Ipswich.”
He added that the design has been carefully developed so children of all abilities can play together. He also described it as a community space for families to enjoy for years to come.
What to know if you use the park
The current play area will stay open while the works are carried out, so local families can keep using it. The new facilities are due to be complete by March 2027, weather permitting.
For more on the council’s Play Area Strategy and other projects, visit the council’s website at www.ipswich.gov.uk. You can also contact the council press office at press.office@ipswich.gov.uk.
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