Old Town Recreation Ground

Location

Two kilometres west of the town centre within the housing estates on the edge of the Downs.

Facilities  

• children's playground
• tennis courts
• lawn areas for casual recreation    
• football pitches   
• toilets  
• attractive shrub beds and ornamental trees

Main Attractions 

The recreation ground occupies a sheltered, east facing cove on the lower slopes below the South Downs. The highest parts of the ground give wide views across the rooftops of Eastbourne towards Pevensey Bay and Hastings.  There are seats available around the field margin. A playground for toddlers and juniors is modern and well equipped with its own enclosure. Football pitches occupy a large part of the area and are used by minor league teams during the season. A small number of tennis courts are available for informal use on a first come first served basis. Newly planted trees provide shade and there are some beds planted with species to attract bees and other insects.

History

Formerly farmland the first section of the current recreation ground was purchased by the council in 1913. A further area was purchased in 1930 to make the ground the size and shape known today. A local 'Friends' group was set up in 2011 and in liaison with the council have worked on many recent improvements to the landscaping and had input to the longer-term management plan. Green Flag status was awarded for the first time in 2016 and a Bees' Needs award was achieved the same year.  In 2011 Old Town Recreation Ground became a Queen Elizabeth II Playing Field in celebration of the Queen's Diamond Jubilee.