Mildenhall Woods Project

Groundwork’s has began on an adventure play and picnic area. It will be officially opened on 03 April 2009, followed by a fulfilled afternoon on 14 April 2009 where local residents, children and young people can meet Forest Heath’s new Play Rangers. Children aged between 8-13 help decide the elements to be included within the scheme, and consultation with this age group is ongoing.

The next phase of the project will see the construction of a £60,000 BMX Facility, youth representatives will be asked to be involved in the design, management and implementation of this element of the project. It is hope that this can be in place for the summer holidays 2009.

Commenting on the project Community Development Officer Billy Cornish said “this is an exiting project for the children, young people and wider community of Mildenhall’ there are some superb facilities being implemented and it is hoped that this will provide an area where people can come together and enjoy the natural environment’.

This project originates from a feasibility study conducted by FHDC in partnership with Sport England which looked at the possible ways in which the Mildenhall Woods area could be improved for recreational use. The findings of the study and the feedback from local residents, schools and clubs was very positive and it was concluded that a project should be pursued to help make Mildenhall Woods a safe and appealing place for the public to use for recreation.

Mildenhall Woods has enormous potential to become an excellent site for recreation of various types. With some significant improvements the aim is to encourage both the local community and those from further a field to enjoy the area.

Mildenhall Woods Project Update

A FHDC Project for Children, Young People
and the Wider Community

[This update from 18 March 2009]
Rapid progress has been made in the past six months on this project which will see an area of Woodland east of College Heath Road, Mildenhall utilised to provide play and recreational facilities for children, young people and the wider community.

The following aspects are included within the project plan:

Adventure Play & Picnic Area

£60,000 BMX Cycle Facility

Coordinated Way Marked Cycle Trails

Outdoor Gym Trail

Improved Access to study the
natural and historic environment

To date the project has received £146,000 in funding including £45,000 Capital Funding from Forest Heath District Council. Grants have been received from:

The Big Lottery Fund

The Department for Children,
Schools and Families

Suffolk County Council Regeneration Fund

Cllr Colin Noble’s Locality Budget

• Adventure Play & Picnic Area

• £60,000 BMX Cycle Facility
• Coordinated Way Marked Cycle Trails
• Outdoor Gym Trail
• Improved access to study the
  natural and historic environment

Want to get involved with this project?

Volunteers are welcome - click here to express
an interest or simply find out more.