Recreation Ground

Special dedication opportunity!

Report a problem at the Recreation Ground.

The Botesdale Parish Council (BPC) owns, maintains and is the Sole Trustee for the Botesdale
Recreation Ground (Registered Charity No 270454) in Mill Road North, Botesdale.

The Botesdale Recreation Ground in Mill Road North is the Parish Council's major asset. Over past years the Ground and the equipment have been maintained and some additional equipment added.

More recently, the Recreation Ground was recognised as being functional but quite dated and uninspiring. A specialist inspection of the equipment indicated that many of the items were getting close to the end of their life span. Furthermore, it did not provide amenities to suit our diverse community nor would it meet the demands of the increasing population envisaged by the Neighbourhood Plan.

In early 2019, the Parish Council decided to investigate the regeneration of the Recreation Ground. An initial investigation carried out with the help of Groundworks UK included a Community Survey.

In late 2019, the Parish Council agreed to take forward the Recreation Ground Regeneration Project under the guidance of a Sub Committee. The Sub Committee has seven members who represent a broad cross-section of the community.

The Sub Committee drew up a Project Brief to capture in one document the aims and objectives of the Project and the various supporting documents including the results of the Community Survey. The Project Brief was approved by the Parish Council in February 2020. You can download the Project Brief here.

Using the Project Brief, the Sub Committee undertook an extensive tendering exercise through late Spring and Summer 2020, involving around 40 design and equipment specialists.

The exercise resulted in the appointment of James Blake Associates Ltd (JBA), a Bury St Edmunds based award-winning landscape design specialist, to undertake the Project design. JBA were considered to have the best understanding of the Project Brief and possess the skills and capabilities to deliver a design that addresses the community's needs and environmental and ecological requirements.

Following site visits, remote meetings and numerous reviews with the Sub Committee, JBA has developed an exciting design for the Recreation Ground as illustrated below.

The integrated, environmentally sensitive design uses the whole of the site to provide a range of features and facilities for the whole community. The design includes play and exploration features for Toddlers, Juniors and Youth, alongside health, fitness and well-being equipment for all ages and abilities from toddlers to seniors. The design also recognises the need for quieter, more tranquil spots for people to enjoy and the regenerated Recreation Ground will also be a meeting and socialising hub.

A lot of thought has been given to access for all via a system of pathways which are integrated with the health, fitness and well-being features as well as linking to ecological features.

A Safety and Security Review of the new design has been carried out with the advice of Suffolk Police and RoSPA. You can download the Safety and Security Review here.

Thanks must go to the Sub Committee for the considerable drive and energy that they have brought to the Project and the ideas and thoughts that have been instrumental in achieving the design.