New Murray Road play area opens with horse racing theme
A new children's play area has opened at Murray Road Recreation Ground in Ipswich, featuring 29 pieces of equipment inspired by the site's history as a former racecourse.
Why it matters: The new facility, part of Ipswich Borough Council's £3.5 million play area strategy, provides an inclusive and accessible space for children aged one to 14.
The details: The play area has a horse racing theme, with equipment including a one-of-a-kind Suffolk Punch horse, a starting block with binoculars, a show jumping trail, a winner's podium and a racetrack.
- Inclusive features include a wheelchair-accessible carousel, braille alphabet and number panels, and sign language learning features.
- A dedicated communication panel has also been installed to support children who may find verbal communication challenging, allowing them to express themselves by pointing to symbols.
What they're saying: Councillor Stefan Long, Ipswich Borough Council's portfolio holder for environment and sport, said: "I'm delighted to see the new play area at Murray Road Recreation Ground now open for families to enjoy. This fantastic new space gives children more opportunities to get outside, be active and use their imagination.
"The horse-themed equipment is a wonderful way to celebrate the history of this site, helping children connect with the past while having fun. It's also important that this play area has been designed to be inclusive, so children can play happily together."
The bottom line: Local children now have a new place to run, climb and play — designed for all abilities and rooted in the story of the ground it stands on.
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