Services A-Z
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Inclusive adventure play area
As the town’s most centrally located, most popular and most visited park, it had long been the intention to develop a fully inclusive adventure play area in Parson’s Close Recreation Ground, in which children of all abilities and needs can play together – including playing at height.
The Play Area was completed and opened in July 2022, an amazing asset to our town for all to enjoy!
Our fully inclusive and accessible playground has been awarded a PiPA Gold accreditation! This is is the highest accreditation you can receive for designing inclusive and accessible play spaces.
We would like to thank everyone involved in the process especially Freddie & Friends Sunshine Stop C.I.C and HAGS UK for their support and insight into the lack of suitable facilities locally for additional needs families.
Find out more about the play area at Parson’s Close
More about Visiting Parson's Close
Our much loved Parson’s Close Recreation Ground is located in the heart of Leighton Buzzard, just behind the Town Centre. The Park was first awarded its Green Flag in 2015 and has maintained it ever since.
The Park is home to the very popular Splash and Play facility, the beach, the skate park and also the band stand.
Splash and Play Update: Our contractors are working on re-commissioning the Splash and Play after its winter break. Currently, there are a number of faults which require new parts. It is not safe to open our much-loved facility. Therefore, it will remain closed.
The required parts have been ordered and will arrive soon. Currently, it is looking like early June. However, we will keep you updated.
Toilets are open from 10:00 – 15:00 (Monday – Sunday).
The changing places toilet (see below) can be accessed using a radar key.
Address:
Parson’s Close Recreation Ground
Leighton Buzzard
LU7 1SD
*PLEASE NOTE* There is no parking at this location, the nearest carparks are:
Duncombe Drive Car Park (4B Duncombe Dr, Leighton Buzzard LU7 1SD)
West Street Multi Storey Car Park (Bossard House, West St, Leighton Buzzard LU7 1DD)
Changing Places Toilet
Our new Changing Places modular toilet in Parson’s Close Recreation Ground, fully funded by S106 contributions, is a much needed addition to Parson’s Close, making our much-loved park an inclusive destination for all local families.
The new toilet provides a safe, hygienic and dignified solution for people with profound and multiple learning disabilities, as well people with physical disabilities such as spinal injuries, muscular dystrophy and multiple sclerosis. This extra equipment and space allows them to use the toilets safely and comfortably.
What else is there to do there?
Splash and Play
We are hoping the Splash and Play will be fixed and back open by early June!
The Splash and Play was installed into the park in 2011. The facility is FREE and very well attended throughout the summer, alongside the beach and the play area it is a great location for a low cost fun family day out. The Splash and Play is usually open from late May until the end of September each year (exact dates will vary).
The chlorinated water used in the Splash and Play facility is quality tested three times a day.
Should you ever experience any technical issues with the Splash ‘n’ Play please get in touch to report to a member of the team who can investigate.
The Beach
The Beach was first brought to the park in summer 2014 as a temporary facility. However the feedback and level of use was positive therefore it was decided to reintroduce it as a permanent feature form summer 2015.
The beach is a good size at 20m x 20m and FREE to enter. It is surrounded by treated decking and a mesh fence allowing guardians to sit comfortably outside the beach with full visibility should they wish.
The beach is usually open from late May to September each year.
Community Garden
Volunteer at the new community garden in Parson’s Close Recreation Ground in Leighton Buzzard. Drop in sessions run weekly from June to October from Tues 14 June, 10am-11:30am. Interested? Contact 07702 941445 or email molly.rice@groundwork.org.uk for more details.
Café
There is a café in the park to provide hot and cold drinks and snacks. Over the winter months, the cafe may not be open every day or during bad weather conditions. In the summer season the cafe is open daily.
Skate Park
There is a FREE to enter skate park with multiple ramps and drops. Suitable for skateboards, bikes and scooters.
Play Park
The Play park was completely refurbished in 2022 to provide a state of the art, fully inclusive play area suitable for all children to play together. Find out more.
Table Tennis Tables
There are 2 free to use table tennis tables in the park.
Band Stand
The Park saw the addition of the Band Stand in 1951 during the Festival of Britain, it has become an iconic feature within the town. The Band stand was refurbished in June 2018.
It is home to our band concerts which take place in the park throughout June – September every year. Find out more.
Jubilee Shelter
In May 2022 a wooden shelter was installed within the park in the same spot a shelter was first erected in 1937 to celebrate the coronation of George VI and his wife Elizabeth.
Read our Tripadvisor reviews to find out what visitors of the park have to say!
One last thing… You may notice a large yellow pencil sitting proudly at the top of the park, this is one of the 22 art pieces that make up the Leighton-Linslade Children’s Trail. Visit the Children’s Trail page to find out more and download the map!
A Google Map has been embedded on this page and is a 3rd party provided service and may not be fully accessible. If you require further help with getting location information please contact us.