HOLYWELLS Park is currently a muddy mess, but by the summer it should have a dramatic new look.The old paddling pool has gone and been replaced by a pond recreating an early feature which was removed between the wars.

By Paul Geater

HOLYWELLS Park is currently a muddy mess, but by the summer it should have a dramatic new look.

The old paddling pool has gone and been replaced by a pond recreating an early feature which was removed between the wars.

New play equipment is to be installed during the early spring, including a ship feature, and by the late May holiday weekend the new look should be completed.

Ipswich council ranger Matt Berry said the work might look messy at present - but once the grass seed started growing it should once again be a very attractive spot.

He said: “This kind of work really needs to be done in the winter and now the ground work and the pond is well underway.

“It will not really look that good for several months, but once the weather starts to warm up and spring arrives it should make all the difference.

“We now have to install the play equipment and that will make the park a much more attractive place for families to visit.”

Ipswich council leisure spokeswoman Judy Terry said the work at the park had been arranged in close consultation with park users.

“A partnership was formed and that was given a budget and got on with redesigning the park. We are very pleased with what is happening there - it should be a much more attractive place to visit.”

A team from the council is currently preparing a bit for Lottery funding for a multi-million pound restoration of the park which could follow the work at Christchurch Park.

That could lead to restoration of buildings which were originally part of Holywell's Mansion, which was demolished in the 1950s.