A much-loved play area is set to swing back into action after a £250,000 revamp.
The new kids’ play area is finally ready to reopen in Ipswich this week – after three months of work.
Work began on Monday, 19 May 2025, to create a brand-new children’s play area, which now features 120 play elements across dedicated zones.
The revamped Chantry Park spot is the eighth playground in town to get a glow-up, as part of an overarching £3.5m play area strategy scheme to overhaul 40 play areas by 2027.
Highlights range from buzzing events and a tranquil fishing pond to top-notch sports facilities and thriving wildlife.
Ipswich Borough Council teamed up with local families and the Friends of Chantry Park to make sure the new play area was packed with accessible and inclusive equipment.
It’s kitted out with inclusive gear, including a wheelchair-friendly swing and carousel, plus fresh concrete paths so that everyone can join the fun.
What does it feature?
The new playground isn’t just swings and slides – it’s been split into themed zones to keep every age group entertained.
Toddlers can enjoy a fishing pond play area, where they can bounce along the lily pad trail and springers.
While little rockstars can make noise in a music zone inspired by legendary gigs in the park, with instruments including bongos and guitar panels and springers.
Older kids get an enchanted grove with a tube slide, and teens can hang out in a special chill-out nest.
A wide variety of sensory equipment is set at different heights to ensure a fun and engaging experience for all abilities.
Locals asked for it – so a brand-new zipline has been added, with a natural play trail on the way too.
The parks team are busy reusing wood from trees felled in the park into the trail, giving kids a fun, sustainable space to explore and enjoy.
To top it off, the site now boasts two accessible composting loos with baby changing, plus fresh seating, picnic tables and benches for families.
When does it open?
The new playground, aimed at youngsters up to 14, officially opens at 11.30am on Friday, August 22 – just in time for the bank holiday weekend.
Where can kids eat for free this summer?
THE summer holidays are here, but entertaining the kids need not cost a fortune.
Here, we reveal where you can get free and cheap meals for your little ones during the ‘endless’ summer holidays.
ASDA CAFE: Nip into an Asda cafe to feed the kids after the weekly shop.
Under-16s get a hot or cold meal for £1 at any time of day.
Little ones are covered, too.
Kids under 18 months get a free Ella’s baby food pouch with any purchase.
BEEFEATER: This family-friendly pub chain makes mornings a breeze.
Two kids under 16 eat for free with the purchase of an adult breakfast for £10.99.
It’s available from 6.30am to 10.30am midweek and 7am to 11am at weekends.
BELLA ITALIA: Book a table and order an adult meal at the Italian eatery for kids aged two to 11 to get three courses and a drink for £1.
Offer valid between 4pm and 6pm on Sundays to Wednesdays.
On Thursdays, kids eat free all day when an adult meal is ordered from the a la carte menu.
DUNELM: Make homeware shopping a fun day out.
Dunelm’s Pausa Cafes are offering free kids’ meals for every £4 spent on their food or drink.
Available all day, every day.
BILL’S: Dine in at a Bill’s restaurant to get up to two free kids’ meals (normally £6.95 each) with an adult meal.
Valid weekdays only until August 30.
IKEA: Make it a food day at the Swedish home store.
On every day except Fridays, enjoy a pit stop at their famous cafe from 11am to get a kids’ pasta or mac and cheese dish for 95p.
Other mini meals are available for £1.50.
PIZZA EXPRESS: Kids up to age ten can get a free three-course Piccolo meal including dough balls, pizza or pasta and dessert with every adult meal purchased.
The offer runs every day until August 11.
TESCO: Pop to the supermarket cafe from Monday to Friday until August 30 for free kids’ meals when an adult buys any item in the cafe.
You must have a Clubcard to redeem the offer.
THE RANGE: Kids under 16 get one free meal per adult main purchased at The Range cafes.
Options include sandwiches, a cooked breakfast and fish and chips.
All kids’ meals come with a piece of fruit and a drink.
In the run-up to the reopening, councillor Lucy Trenchard said: “We can’t wait to open the new play area and to see families exploring it!
“The new space will give children up to the age of 14 and all abilities a fun, inclusive, and challenging space to enjoy.
“The old play area had given many years of fun and adventure to families, but sadly, it was beyond economical repair, and it will soon be removed.
“As Chantry is our biggest park, we wanted the new space to have a bit of everything to give children all the different kinds of play children love.
“That’s why we’ve included a brand new zipline along with a natural play trail, which will encourage imaginative play and allow children to connect with nature, giving kids plenty of ways to explore, have fun, and enjoy the freedom to play safely.”
The play area at Chantry Park, before the revamp under construction[/caption]