Woodbridge Town Council (WTC) were transferred in 2010 the public open space known locally as Fen Meadow. Fen Meadow is predominantly a grassland meadow which has been managed in a traditional manner and consequently is important to maintaining local biodiversity. It is situated to the south of Seckford Street and is bounded by the Abbey School grounds and Woodbridge New Cemetery. The area of Fen Meadow is 2.67 hectares.

The transfer to WTC included an existing play area with a slide, swings and climbing frame – this equipment is outdated and, in many cases, beyond the remit of modern health and safety requirements. WTC have resolved to remove and replace some of the existing play equipment and have built up a sufficient reserve to purchase modern equipment.

WTC are seeking public opinion as to whether users would prefer the existing play area to be renovated, or for a new play area to be created on the open part of the Fen and the existing site be re-wilded:

Existing site - As detailed above the main climbing aparatus in the park will be removed; the slide and swings could remain and be incorporated into a more modern play area including seating for parents. Concerns about the existing site include the damp, dark conditions due to the overhanging trees, the narrow path from Seckford Street which provides the only formal access, and the inability to view the play area from the main part of the Fen. If the play area was moved, the Council's Climate and Ecological Emergency Committee have proposed that the site be re-wilded and modified as an outdoor classroom. 

New site - The Council have identied an area approximately 575m2 where play equipment could be installed on the open part of the lower Fen. The equipment installed would be harmonious with the natural surroundings and fully accessible via a new path which would also connect Seckford Street with Bridgewood Road. The benefits of the new site would be the ability to start from scratch and design a play area to meet the needs of users, as well as the openess of the site. Concerns have however been raised about the ground conditions during winter and the loss of the open space for outdoor activities. 

WTC reconise the importance of Fen Meadow as a public open space close to the town centre and hence at the Council's meeting on June 18th, it was agreed that the public must be allowed to comment on the proposals in order to guide the future decision making of the Council. In order to have your say about the future of the Fen Meadow play equipment, please complete the following survey by clicking on the link below.

The closing date for responses is Sunday 24 August at 5pm.

Take the Survey