Murray Road Recreation Ground
🏟 Playground & park · Racecourse, Ipswich
Murray Road Recreation Ground
A recreation ground on the site of Ipswich's former racecourse, with a horse-racing-themed inclusive play area of 29 new features for ages 1 to 14.
🕑 Opening & entry
🌱 Open to the public daily. · Free · No booking needed
About Murray Road Recreation Ground
Murray Road Recreation Ground, listed by Ipswich Borough Council as Murray Park, is a free public recreation ground off Murray Road in the east of Ipswich, on the site of the town's former horse racing course. It is managed by the Borough Council and offers grass pitches and tennis courts alongside its play facilities. In 2026 it became the first site of the year to be upgraded under the council's 3.5 million pound play area strategy, with a brand-new children's play area themed around the area's horse-racing history. The new playground has 29 pieces of equipment for children aged 1 to 14, including a one-of-a-kind Suffolk Punch horse, a racetrack, a starting block with binoculars, a show jumping panel and trail, and a winner's podium. It is strongly focused on inclusion, with a wheelchair-accessible carousel, Braille alphabet and number play, sign-language learning equipment and a communication panel that lets children who have difficulty speaking express themselves using symbols. The scheme, due for completion in spring 2026, makes Murray Road a distinctive and accessible free day out for Ipswich families.
⭐ What makes this place special
- grass pitches
- tennis courts
🏞 Facilities
- Free entry
- Accessibility: A 2026 play area includes a wheelchair-accessible carousel, Braille alphabet and number play, sign-language learning equipment and a communication panel for non-verbal children.
🧒 Ages & play
- Ages: 1-14
- Suffolk Punch horse play feature
- racetrack
- starting block with binoculars
- show jumping panel and trail
- winner's podium
- wheelchair-accessible carousel
- communication panel
📍 Nearby places to play
- Holywells Park · approx 0.5 miles · Waterfront
- Landseer Park · approx 0.5 miles · Gainsborough
- Alexandra Park · approx 0.8 miles · Holywells
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❓ Frequently asked questions
Is Murray Road Recreation Ground free to visit?
Yes. It is a public recreation ground run by Ipswich Borough Council and entry is completely free.
What is the theme of the play area at Murray Road?
It is themed around the area's horse-racing history, with a Suffolk Punch horse, a racetrack, a starting block, a show jumping trail and a winner's podium.
Is the Murray Road play area accessible?
Yes. It includes a wheelchair-accessible carousel, Braille alphabet and number play, sign-language learning equipment and a communication panel for non-verbal children.
What ages is the Murray Road play area for?
The new play area is designed for children aged 1 to 14.
Where is Murray Road Recreation Ground?
It is off Murray Road, Ipswich, postcode IP3 9AH, on the site of the town's former racecourse.