Parks and Open Spaces

There are a number of parks and open spaces in Sprowston owned and maintained by Sprowston Town Council.

The areas are checked on a regular basis by our staff to identify any problems that may arise in addition to an annual inspection carried out under the conditions of the Council’s Insurers. All play equipment is sited on play safe surfacing and complies with relevant Health & Safety Regulations. Small children’s play areas are fenced creating a safe and secure environment.

Listed below are the parks and open spaces in Sprowston.

Recreation Ground, Recreation Ground Road
This six acre site has entrances at Recreation Ground Road, Edwards Road and Dixon Road. It is surrounded by housing, Sprowston First School and the local library. Opening times  are 8.00am Monday to Saturday and 10.00am on Sundays. Closing times vary throughout the seasons and are advertised on the gates. The park is attended daily by caretaker/cleaners to monitor and clean the facilities.

Facilities include: open space to enjoy ball games, kick wall with basketball hoop, 2 full size and three mini football pitches, cricket pitch, bowling green, ten tennis courts (two hard surfaces and eight grass), purpose built cycle fun track suitable for off road pedal cycles and smaller children’s play area.

Public conveniences are provided at the Recreation Ground, as well as seats, litter and dog bins and two car parks. Dog bags are available free of charge to encourage dog owners to scoop the poop and keep the park as pleasant as possible for all visitors.

Extract of Bylaws pertaining to Sprowston Recreation Ground a full copy is available at the Town Council office.

Sparhawk Park, Sparhawk Avenue
This lovely park incorporating a tree lined pathway and mature broad leaf copses can be accessed from Sparhawk Avenue and Peregrine Road. Facilities include two children’s play areas one fenced for infants incorporating roundabout, circular cone climber, spinning apparatus and slide. The other is a large open play area, suitable for older children, with swings, multi-climbing frame and aerial runway. There are also public conveniences, seats, picnic tables and litter bins. Soft ball games only, cycles may not be ridden and no dogs allowed except for registered assistance dogs .

Opening times are 8.00 am Monday to Friday and 10.00 am Saturday and Sunday. Closing times vary throughout the seasons and are advertised on the gates.

Barkers Lane Playing Field, Barkers Lane
This area is a large informal playing field with community shelter. Access is via Barkers Lane, Church Lane or the Millennium Woodland.

Blue Boar Lane
This newly acquired open space has informal and enclosed play area. Further landscaping and additional seating to be provided.

Cranes Croft and Hall Wood Road (off Blue Boar Lane)
These two enclosed play areas are suitable for younger children aged 3 – 9 and have a range of play equipment.

Wilks Farm Drive Play Area
This large open play area is sited to the North of Wilks Farm Drive next to the Millennium woodland backing onto farm land. A tarmac pathway runs across the site from North Walsham Road to the woodland. There is an enclosed play area with a variety of equipment.

Windsor Park Gardens
Open space, kick wall, basketball hoop, seating and recently refurbished enclosed play area.

Cottage Plantation, Blue Boar Lane
Maintained by Broadland District Council this mixed fir and broadleaf mature woodland is situated on Blue Boar Lane next to the garden centre. A soft surfaced pathway runs along the side of the woodland parallel to the road and there are designated walkways throughout the area and a car park, although height restrictions apply.

Harrison Woodland
Also maintained by Broadland District Council this woodland is situated opposite Cottage Plantation. It has formal entrances on Blue Boar Lane and Salhouse Road.

Millennium Woodland, Church Lane
Planted in 2000 to celebrate the new millennium this maturing woodland with its designated walkways is  very popular with local residents.

Backing onto open farm land and situated opposite Sprowston cemetery it is a tranquil and peaceful place to visit. There is wheelchair access for 130 metres into the woodland via Church Lane, seating throughout the site and an information interpretation board to help visitors identify various species.  To attract more wildlife bug houses have been placed in various locations around the woodland. Pedestrian access is via Church Lane, Barkers Lane Playing Field, Millennium Loke/Wilks Farm Drive. Should you have any difficulty gaining access the gates can be fully opened with a radar key.

To report a problem with a litter or dog bin on any of the above sites please contact us on:
Tel 01603 408063
Email: townclerk@sprowston-tc.gov.uk

To report a problem with a public litter or dog bin please contact Broadland District Council. There is an online form available on their website to advise if a bin needs emptying, repairing or replacing. You can also contact them using the details below if you would like to report a litter or dog fouling problem in your area.
Tel: 01603 430534
Email: contracts.envhealth@broadland.gov.uk