Parks are for people. They’re where life happens. Open. Welcoming. Democratic. At a time when so many feel divided, Ipswich’s green spaces bring us together.
Our town’s motto says it best: ‘Munia Civitatis Decus Civium’ in modern-terms we translate this to mean
“The Strength of Ipswich Lies in its Citizens.”
Through our website and Instagram account @ParkLifeIpswich we are encouraging people to share their stories, photos, ideas and moments… anything that shows why our parks matter, to all of us.
“From sharing #parklife memories to studying sustainability, the idea of Parklife Ipswich has grown over the past few years. We first floated it on LinkedIn in 2024 and after exploring how best to move forward, we now see the most impactful way is a citizen-led creative project that showcases how great our parks are and the life that happens in them. For now, it’s a social media account and a website, but it could grow into an exhibition, a book, a film… or simply a fresh way of seeing our town.”
Tim & Wendy Hodgson WHAT associates
Parklife Ipswich isn’t a “WHAT” project. We’re kicking things off, but the project will belong to the community. Residents, schools, businesses, creatives, we want your input. Photos, films, lyrics, artwork, stories, memories, ideas … anything that shows how you live life in our parks.
Snap it. Write it. Share it.
Tag @ParkLifeIpswich #ParkLifeIpswich
explore our parks
Christchurch Park
Chantry Park
Bourne Park
Holywells Park
Gippsewyk Park
Landseer Park
Broomhill Park
Ellenbrook Park
Whitehouse Park
Alexandra Park
Stonelodge Park
Bridge Road OCP
Brazier’s Wood
Piper’s Vale OCP
Landseer Nature Reserve
Bramford Nature Reserve
Chantry Nature Reserve
Belstead Nature Reserve
Orwell Country Park
Rushmere Heath
Dales Nature Reserve
Bixley Heath
Dumbarton Rec
Murray Rec
Alderman Nature
Whitton Rec
Castle Hill Rec
Brunswick Rec
Sherrington Rd Rec
What it means
“to Citizen”?
How it started
“No.1, to citizen is to participate. It’s a verb, not a noun, not an adjective, it’s to show up. No.2, to citizen is to value the collective, and to work towards outcomes that benefit the many. And not just the few. No.3 to citizen is to understand power, and the various ways we have at our disposal to use it. No.4, to citizen is to invest in relationships with others, and recognise our interconnectedness.”
Source: New Citizenship Project