Ipswich is often praised for its parks.
Residents and visitors can access more than 500 hectares (1235 acres) of green space and wildlife habitats across the town.
Residents often mention parks favourably and three of our town’s parks – Bourne, Christchurch and Holywells – have been recognised with Green Flag Awards which is something we are very proud of. Christchurch Park has now won 16 flags in succession, a testament to the ongoing commitment by Ipswich Borough Council (IBC) Parks department, assisted by Friends groups, volunteer tree wardens and Wildlife Ranger volunteers.
Friends Groups help the Council by giving us a valuable insight into the needs and aspirations of the local community. Many Friends Groups run their own events such as apple days and dawn chorus walks. They often plan work parties to carry out environmental clean-ups and conservation work such as pond restoration and orchard management.
https://www.ipswich.gov.uk/content/friends-groups
Wildlife Activity Packs have been created by our Wildlife Team to help you learn about the native British wildlife around you in our parks and gardens. This pack is aimed at kids, who would like some fun wildlife themed activities to do. The free pack will be very handy for families during the school holidays.
https://www.ipswich.gov.uk/wildlife-activity-packs
Our Wildlife and Parks teams have also created walks around twelve of our parks and open spaces to encourage use of particular paths to avoid disturbance to wildlife, encourage use of under used areas of the parks and improve access to nature for mental health and wellbeing. Walks are not just for the big parks, they include places like Braziers Meadow and Wood and the Dales Local Nature Reserve. Black routes take you on the best walks for wildlife.
https://www.ipswich.gov.uk/park-walks
Toilet facilities are important for people who visit the parks. The larger parks do have toilet facilities, but toilets are difficult to maintain in locations where there are no permanent staff on-site. They do attract vandalism and anti-social behaviour.
IBC have installed composting toilets in four of Ipswich’s parks – Castle Hill, Dumbarton Road, Murray Road and Whitehouse. These toilets provide disabled access and are fully equipped with baby changing facilities.
The new toilets, do not require connecting to mains water, sewer or electricity, use solar power to provide lighting and hand sanitiser as an alternative to handwashing. These are surely better than the toilets that they replaced.
I visited Chantry Park last weekend, home to Ipswich Parkrun. Chantry Park is the largest town park in Ipswich. It extends over 124 acres of parkland and wildlife areas on the western edge of town. I noted the new Changing Places toilet there.
Changing Places toilets are larger accessible toilets for people who cannot use standard accessible toilets. They have equipment such as hoists, curtains, adult-sized changing benches and space for carers. IBC were successful with a bid for government funding to provide Changing Places toilets at Christchurch and Holywells Parks, as well as Chantry.
They will help to improve disabled people’s everyday lives and aid enjoyment of everything these parks have to offer, with dignity, confidence, and freedom.
This year, £300,000 will be spent on Chantry Park replacing the existing play areas, both the large one by the toilet block and smaller one by London Road entrance, to provide accessible and inclusive play. This will include ensuring that there is a quiet space for play, provision for neurodiversity and outdoor fitness facilities.
The continuing investment by IBC in our parks maintains and enhances the offer for both residents and visitors, providing an enjoyable environment for all.
Don’t forget Music in the Park on Sunday 7th July!