Adventure awaits: £243k revamp transforms play areas across West Suffolk

12 Dec 2025

Four play areas in West Suffolk have received makeovers over the last few months as part of a council funded programme for playground refurbishment and developers S106 contributions worth £243,000. 

The newly refurbished play facilities are in Bury St Edmunds, Haverhill, Lakenheath and Newmarket.

The council, which prioritises thriving communities, has a rolling plan to ensure its children’s play areas are safe, challenging and fun to use.

The four sites are Hepworth Avenue, Bury St Edmunds; Hopton Rise, Haverhill; Briscoe Way, Lakenheath; Manderston Road, Newmarket.

The playgrounds at Hopton Rise and Briscoe Way have both been upgraded, providing more creative, inclusive and exciting play provision.

The Hepworth Avenue playground has had a complete redesign, with more focus on toddler provision to meet local need. This playground now offers an exciting but challenging new provision for younger children.

The new playground at Manderston Road, has been relocated within the existing open space. The play provision offers fun new equipment, which engages playground users in a safe and inclusive environment.

The council engaged with pupils from local primary schools close to the play areas, along with community engagement in the Abbey Gardens for the Hepworth Avenue play area.

The feedback and the council’s own evaluation were used to select the successful designs, before awarding contracts.

The work on the sites began in August and the four refurbished play areas are now open again for children and families to enjoy.

Cllr Ian Shipp, Cabinet Member for Leisure at West Suffolk Council said: “Play areas support our children’s health and wellbeing, so making them safe, fun places to play is important. As part of our thriving communities priority, we wanted to make sure these play areas are fit for use as they are highly valued and well used in our local communities as spaces for children to enjoy exercise and use their imagination outdoors.

“We own and maintain over 100 play areas across West Suffolk and the programme of upgrades and regular safety inspections make sure that equipment is in good working order to be enjoyed by families now and in the future.”

Mrs Price, St Felix Roman Catholic Primary School, said: “We are proud to have worked closely with the council on this project. In today’s society, many children don’t have enough opportunities for active outdoor play, which can affect their posture and ability to focus and write comfortably in class. Providing a safe, stimulating environment for play is essential, not just for physical health, but for building the skills, confidence, and wellbeing that underpin all learning.”

Even more improvement works to our playgrounds are planned, with Macpherson Robertson Way play area, Mildenhall scheduled for improvements before the end of March 2026. This is being funded through UKSPF funds.

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