Work is progressing on an extensive programme of improvements at Shroggs Park in north Halifax, making the park more attractive and welcoming for all.
Shroggs Park is a large green space and woodland area just outside Halifax town centre. The Grade II listed park is steeped in history, opening in 1881 and remaining at the heart of the community ever since. The park includes a skate park, football pitches, a play park and is home to the popular Halifax parkrun. It also has diverse tree and plant species.
Significant investment is helping deliver a programme of improvements at the park, which are designed to make the area more welcoming, more attractive and more accessible, whilst ensuring that the work is also sustainable.
Work started in spring 2023 and has already included improvements to paths, repairs to fencing, landscaping works to better open up areas of the park and the cleaning of entrances and the historic monument.
The work to improve the park is being led by a partnership group that includes the Friends of Shroggs Park Group – a group made up of local volunteers with a long-standing commitment to improve the park.
Together with Calderdale Council and the North Halifax Partnership, they have formed the Shroggs Park Partnership, which has focused on enhancing the potential of the park, with improvements based on feedback from formal and informal consultation with park users and the local community.
The partnership continues to work hard to develop the park for the future, with future works including further planting, improved signage, and the development of a woodland walk. Further initiatives such as a community growing spaces and ‘Active Spots’ around the park are also being considered to boost community facilities in the park.
Following survey work, the existing pavilion structure, which is in a bad state of repair, will be removed in early 2024 and in its place, graded landscaping works will create a balanced, welcoming space.
Calderdale Council’s Cabinet Member for Public Services and Communities, Cllr Jenny Lynn, said:
“Shroggs Park is a wonderful facility for the north Halifax area and it’s great news that work is progressing to make it an even better place to visit.
“The passion and determination of the park’s Friends group, and the support of other local organisations has been instrumental in enabling the Shroggs Park Partnership to attract significant funding to support the development of this programme of improvement works.
“The Council is also proud to be able to support the works to demonstrate our commitment to protecting and enhancing our distinctive environment and recognising the important contribution of our parks and green spaces.”
Different funding sources including the UK Government’s Levelling Up fund, Active Calderdale funding, Safer Streets Fund and Council budgets are supporting different elements of the improvements, which together will make a real difference.
Although funded by different streams, the investment is supporting one overarching focus, to make improvements to benefit all park users and enhance the visitor experience. The work is due to be complete in 2025.
ENDS