Campaigning councillors have expressed their happiness and relief as work begins to create a dreamland-themed playground for young residents.

As a part of upgrades to play parks across the town announced in 2022, Ipswich Borough Council agreed to spend £90,000 on Sherrington Road recreation ground.

However, a full vision had not been submitted and Castle Hill ward's representatives Cllr Sam Murray and Cllr Ian Fisher said that they were hearing of constant delays in the plans. 

These upgrades were agreed to in 2022.A number of playground upgrades were agreed in 2022. (Image: Kompan)Cllr Murray said that she was glad to hear the phone ring last week and be told that the plans have been finalised and an upgraded park will be opened in autumn. 

“The upgrade has been a long time coming for our residents and it has taken a lot of lobbying from Cllr Fisher and I to keep this park on the upgrade list," she added. 

"We are happy with the design and relieved that this is now being installed as we speak. We will be looking forward to seeing the children play on this park in the October half term.”

The councillor is also an advocate for inclusivity and accessibility, and said the aim for this park was to be as inclusive as it could for its size.

Cllr Murray had previously been in charge of adding the first wheelchair-accessible swing in Suffolk, in a park in Castle Hill.

The playground will be themed around a dreamland.The playground will be themed around a dreamland. (Image: IpswichGov)

The playground will be themed around dreamland and books as part of its connection to the nearby Broomhill Library, which will help bring a community feel to the site. 

There will be an alphabet path, an area for children to sit and read books, and themed wording spread across the ground. 

Cllr Murray said: "I am happy, with this upgrade children can be whatever they want, they could be a book character or a pirate when they are playing, and that is why it is important to have parks like these."