As part of Love Parks Week, we are bringing you stories about some of the great work that goes on in the green spaces across North Halifax and we couldn’t do this without mentioning the local jewel that is Shroggs Park!
Shroggs Park is steeped in history, having been opened during the Victorian times and is Grade II listed with Historic England. The area includes local woodland, a skate park, football pitches and a play park. The park also has diverse trees and plants which are important for insects and wildlife as much as local people! Its also home to the Halifax Park Run every Saturday morning.
Just as important as the park itself is the local people who form the Friends of Shroggs Park group. The group have had a long standing intent to improve Shroggs Park and contribute to the wider community over the last 20 years. They are made up of local volunteers who are key to shaping how the park is and they spend a lot of time and energy focusing on making the area the best it can be.
In summer 2022 a specific piece of work was started that looking at investing in, and improving, Shroggs Park. Some of this came from ongoing conversations about the pavilion, but wider than that was the local feeling that the area was falling behind what it really could be. All green space needs a bit of love Shroggs was no exception.
Calderdale Council’s Green Space & Streets Team, Active Calderdale, Friends of Shroggs and North Halifax Partnership came together with wider partners to form a partnership specifically focused on enhancing the potential of the park. Investment from Levelling Up and Active Calderdale funds have been pooled together to support developments to the park which are guided and agreed by all partners. More importantly, all improvements are tested with what local people are saying. Through the hard work of partners, a range of work has already happened, and the park is benefiting from this focus. So far this includes:
- Improvements to the paths
- A refurb of the monument
- Cutting back greenery – although a bit shocking to see this will mean its flourishes and grows back in years to come
- New benches and bins in the park However, there’s still a journey to be had!
The partnership work continue to work to make the park safer, more welcoming, accessible, attractive and sustainable. We are now looking at things we can do to develop the park more for the future – such as a community growing space, a woodland walk and ‘Active Spots’ around the park. But we need you to come and be involved! North Halifax Partnership and the Friends of Shroggs Park group will be at the park on Saturday 5th August, so come on down and talk to us. There will be a few things to do to get us all moving and enjoying the space as well as a chance to tell us what make Shroggs Park an important place for you and what could make it better. For more information see below:
