The Mayor and Mayoress were joined by Faith, a pupil from St Thomas More’s School, who won a colouring-in competition linked to the playground project. Together, they used giant ceremonial scissors to cut the ribbon, marking the official opening of the playground in front of invited guests and families.
From a child’s drawing to a place to play
Faith’s winning colouring-in entry was celebrated as part of the opening event, highlighting the creativity behind the new playground and the role children played in shaping the project.
Pupils from St Thomas More’s School attended the ceremony, making the opening a moment not just for civic leaders, but for the young people the playground is designed for.
A new playground at the heart of Castle Park
Set within Colchester’s Castle Park, the new playground has been designed to be inclusive and welcoming for children of all abilities and has already been enjoyed by families during the Easter holidays.
Shaped by the community
The playground has been shaped by the community from the start. Local residents chose the winning design through a public vote, and children and families shared their ideas during consultation sessions. Having a local school pupil take part in the official opening was a fitting way to recognise that involvement.
The Mayor of Colchester, Cllr Michael Lilley, said: “It was a real pleasure to officially open Castle Park’s new playground alongside local children and families. This is a space created with young people at its heart, and seeing children enjoy it for the very first time was a wonderful reminder of why community-led projects like this matter so much. Castle Park is a much-loved part of Colchester, and this new playground will be enjoyed by families for many years to come.”
Councillor Martin Goss, Portfolio Holder for Waste, Neighbourhoods and Leisure, said: “It’s fitting that today’s official opening was shared with local children, including Faith, whose artwork captured the imagination behind this project. The new playground reflects the ideas of the community and shows how listening to residents and young people can help create a space that children of all abilities can enjoy together.”