The Shorncliffe Journey

Residents Invited to Have Their Say on Shorncliffe’s Journey

Residents are being invited to help shape the future of Shorncliffe Recreation Ground as Shrewsbury Town Council launches the second phase of its public consultation on proposals to improve the much-loved community park.

Earlier this year, Shrewsbury Town Council worked with Camlins, a local landscape architecture practice, to carry out an extensive consultation with local residents. Through an online survey and a series of drop-in events held during February and March, the Council asked the community what they thought about the future of Shorncliffe Recreation Ground.

Residents were asked for their views on a wide range of topics, including:

• The park's existing features – what should stay, what could be improved and what could be removed.
• How Shorncliffe Recreation Ground can make the most of its natural environment.
• What play and leisure facilities people would like to see.
• New opportunities for activities such as a pump track, pickleball, table tennis and a running loop.
• How people access the park and move around it, including entrances, footpaths and accessibility.

Residents  are invited to have their say on these draft proposals and to tell the Town Council to what extent they support the plans and if they have any comments.

The consultation sets out a phased programme of improvements, allowing the Council to deliver enhancements over time as funding becomes available. Each ambition has been shaped directly by the feedback received from local residents.

The first stage of the proposed masterplan focuses on creating a new pump track alongside a modern natural play area.

The proposals would create an exciting new destination for families and young people by providing a dedicated space for cycling, scooting and wheeled sports, alongside an inclusive natural play area where children can climb, explore, balance and play within a woodland setting. Together these facilities would encourage more people to be active outdoors, provide positive recreational opportunities close to home and create a welcoming community space that can be enjoyed by families for years to come.

Alongside the first stage of improvements, the Council is proposing a significant programme of environmental enhancements that places nature at the heart of Shorncliffe Recreation Ground.

The proposals include creating new native hedgerows around the park boundary, planting additional trees, introducing species-rich meadow planting and protecting the mature trees that already define the park. Additional wildlife features such as bird and bat boxes, bug hotels and log piles would provide valuable habitats, helping to increase biodiversity while creating a greener, more resilient park that benefits both wildlife and the local community for generations to come.

Looking beyond the first phase of improvements, the Council is proposing to create a more connected and accessible recreation ground that is easier for everyone to enjoy.

Future proposals include expanding the park's footpath network to better link key areas, creating a dedicated running loop and bikeability track, improving entrances into the park and sensitively designed lighting where appropriate. A dedicated area for parking is proposed to keep the centre of the park free from vehicles, and to protect neighbouring streets.

Together these improvements would make Shorncliffe Recreation Ground safer, more welcoming and easier to navigate for people of all ages and abilities, encouraging active travel, healthier lifestyles and greater year-round use of the park.

The final stage of the proposed masterplan focuses on building on the facilities that local people already value while creating opportunities for new activities and community spaces in the future.

The proposals seek to retain and enhance existing facilities, including the football pitch, skate park, BMX facilities and Multi Use Games Area, while introducing new opportunities such as a pétanque court. The proposed layout has also been designed to allow space for additional facilities in the future, subject to community support, funding and ongoing maintenance. These could include public toilets, changing facilities, a sports pavilion or a container café.

By protecting the facilities that residents already enjoy while planning for future investment, the Council aims to create a recreation ground that offers something for everyone. Providing a wider range of activities and community spaces will encourage people of all ages to be active, spend time outdoors and meet others, helping to ensure Shorncliffe Recreation Ground remains a vibrant and valued community park for many years to come.