New community play area is officially open


A new play area in Grundisburgh, created by the local community, has been officially opened. 

Supported in part by community fundraising, historic Section 106 contributions and funding from the Kesgrave, Martlesham and villages Community Partnership, the creation of the new Grundisburgh Community Play Park has been a community effort with involvement from across the village, including the Grundisburgh Playing Field Committee and the local Horticultural Society who helped with planting. 

Funding was also provided by East Suffolk ward councillors, Cllrs Colin Hedgley and Tony Fryatt through their Enabling Communities Budgets. 

Designed and built by contractors Kompan, the play area has equipment suitable for children of all ages and also benefits from a community garden with new flower beds, trees and shrubbery to increase biodiversity and provide habitat for local pollinators.

Organised by the Grundisburgh Playing Field Committee, a grand opening was held on Tuesday 19 April, attended by Cllr Letitia Smith, East Suffolk Council’s cabinet member for Communities, Leisure and Tourism, Cllr Hedgley and Suffolk County Councillor Elaine Bryce. 

Cllr Smith said: “The creation of the play park has been a real effort by the community for the benefit of local families, with volunteers getting involved in a huge variety of ways, including fundraising, growing plants for the community garden and even digging the flower beds. The feedback from those using the park has already been very positive and I would like to congratulate all those involved in this project.”

Richard Garnham, Chair of the Grundisburgh Playing Field Committee said: “The success of this project has been achieved by the willingness of all those involved to work together to provide a facility that will be enjoyed by the community.” 

Find out more about the park on Facebook: www.facebook.com/GrundisburghCommunityPlaypark