Community invited to help shape future play spaces in Garland Park
- 18.12.2025
With active living embedded in its design, Alconbury Weald boasts an extensive array of play spaces with bespoke equipment designed to encourage adventure, spark curiosity and build confidence in children of all ages.
With the first two sections of Garland Park complete, master developer Urban&Civic is finalising plans for the last section which, once complete, will connect Ermine Street Church Academy to The Glade local centre along the historic route of one of the former airfield’s taxiways.
Timberplay, which specialises in innovative and inclusive playgrounds in unique settings, has been appointed to design the play equipment and features within the final section of Garland Park.
Working within the consented outline design for Garland Park, Timberplay’s initial proposals use a variety of accessible and multisensory equipment to ensure play opportunities for all ages and abilities, with particular focus on younger years. Proximity to neighbouring properties has also been taken into consideration.
Inspired by the site’s heritage as a former airfield, the different play zones have been designed to encourage exploration, communication, imagination and physical
activity. Timberplay has designed 10 play stations and is asking for feedback on its approach and play equipment preferences where options are presented. This includes strategy games to encourage cognitive stimulation, exciting and inclusive play experience for all abilities, and equipment to support imaginative roleplay.
Its initial proposals were shared at Alconbury Weald’s Community Association and Resident Forum meetings in early December and the proposals are now available to view and provide feedback online - https://consultation.alconbury-weald.co.uk - until 5 January 2026.
“Garland Park runs along one of the former taxiways and is named after Donald Garland, a World War II pilot awarded the Victoria Cross for gallantry. Timberplay has been inspired by the site’s heritage, and aviation themes have been incorporated within its design.
“I’d like to thank everyone who came along to chat with the Timberplay team earlier in the month. Its proposals are now online, and we look forward to receiving more feedback from residents, local communities and visitors to inform the final plans.”
Early next year, the project team will review comments and finalise the design. Work is due to begin on the final section of Garland Park in Spring 2026, with the full length of Garland Park open in Spring 2027.
Once complete, Garland Park will provide a multi-functional green space with walking and cycling paths, informal recreational areas, a variety of play opportunities — from wild play and open space to equipped play areas, seating and picnic benches, community orchards, hedgerows, trees, ornamental and shrub planting, wildflowers and other ecological features.
