Recently, I was fortunate to visit The Quarry situated in the heart of Shrewsbury and nestled within the loop of the River Severn. Quarry Park is the town’s principal recreational space and one of its most cherished green areas. Covering 29 acres, the Quarry has been welcoming residents and visitors alike since 1719 and remains open to the public 24 hours a day, throughout the year, including most public holidays.
Maintained to exceptionally high standards and befitting such a prominent location, the Quarry offers a unique blend of heritage, horticulture and leisure facilities. Tree-lined walks, open amenity grassland and beautifully tended gardens create a setting that is both peaceful and vibrant, whatever the season. A wonderful green space that offers so much to the community users of the park.
It was so nice to see many people enjoying the facilities. The play areas were filled with children playing on the equipment, games of football, rounders and other grass sports were all being enjoyed on the open grass areas. Plus there well over 150 people sitting around the old Victorian bandstand, being entertained by the Wellinton Town brass band. One of many who have been booked to play on the Bandstand in the park throughout the summer season.
I always enjoy coming to the park, especially to see the renowned spring and summer bedding displays that Shrewsbury Town Council provide.
Unfortunately, the spring show of flowers were virtually over, with many spring flowering daffodils and tulips gone over. However, the council will be replanting the flower beds in early June with an array of summer bedding plants.
As a Green Flag judge it is refreshing to see a park that still maintains such high horticultural standards and tries to retain the skills and knowledge to provide such a spectacular display and well-kept park.
I have written numerous articles on the value of parks, including recently -
All of these paint a picture of the importance and value of a public open green space. Just seeing all these people enjoying the values of the Quarry Park puts into perspective the real meaning of parks. They are essentially priceless, but for too many years now their maintenance budgets have been vastly eroded. Many local authorities now fail to provide the facilities that made them such valuable assets in the first place, such as spring and summer bedding displays, bowling greens, toilets, play areas, tennis courts, cafes, and events.
Fields in Trust have written a report that reveals the true value of parks, that is well worth a read.
Also Drew Bennellick, head of Land and Nature Policy at the National Lottery Heritage Fund has written a piece entitled “Why should we invest in parks?” for the Parks Management Association that clearly advocates the value of parks open spaces.
Examining 26 years of National Lottery investment in the UK’s parks and green spaces Drew argues that maintaining parks is about far more than mowing grass and emptying bins. With more than £1 billion invested in regenerating over 900 parks, the findings highlight how these spaces support physical health, mental wellbeing and community life - particularly since Covid-19 increased public reliance on local green spaces. Crucially, the report says the greatest benefits come when investment also supports community facilities, engagement and inclusive access, rather than focusing solely on physical improvements. I encourage you to have a read in full.
For me personally, maybe it is time for the general public began to start champion these great assets and change the government’s thinking, finally bringing about change to provide the essential maintenance these public parks deserve.
My weekend outing to the Quarry in Shrewsbury certainly allowed me to see the joy these public parks bring to their local communities.
