£370,000 Investment to revamp Shifnal’s parks and playgrounds

Shifnal Town Council has launched the tender process to find a contractor to design and build a major new play area at Wheatfield Drive.

The project marks the largest investment in leisure facilities the council has ever made.

It includes creating a new space for teenagers at Wheatfield Drive and refurbishing existing play parks at Jubilee Park in Dyas Close and Curriers Lane.

The total budget for all three sites is expected to be between £320,000 and £370,000, depending on final designs.

All funding has been sourced from the Community Infrastructure Levy, collected from new housing developments in the town.

The tender process opened at the end of September, with submissions due by Thursday 5 December.

Residents will play a key role in the selection process.

In January, the public will be invited to vote for their favourite four designs.

By Thursday 20 February, the council will select two finalists and award the contract.

Work is due to begin in March, starting a rolling programme of park improvements.

Mayor of Shifnal, Paul Williamson, said:

“This project is about delivering on a promise to our community – a promise to provide exceptional, enduring spaces for every resident.

“We want every child and young person in Shifnal to have access to safe, fun, and inclusive play facilities that stand the test of time.

“This substantial investment is the single largest project our Council has ever led, and it signals our commitment to improving the quality of life for our young families and our growing population in Shifnal.”

Designs will be expected to meet several key requirements identified through public consultation earlier this year, which gathered 89 responses.

These include:

• Fully inclusive play design that supports the social model of disability.
• Equipment offering a range of play experiences including swinging, climbing, sliding, imaginative, and sensory play.
• A standout “centrepiece” feature at each site.
• A dedicated teenage area at Wheatfield Drive, with features such as covered seating.

The Estates Committee has also recommended two new pathways be added at Wheatfield Drive to connect the teenage shelter, the multi-use games area, and the new play area.

This would create a new walking loop for visitors.

Anyone seeking further information can contact Denise Reynolds at denise.reynolds@shifnaltowncouncil.gov.uk or Paul Williamson at mayor@shifnaltowncouncil.gov.uk.