Hands On Our Park website (unofficial): The Good Things!

HOOP is a positive campaigning group.

We have some slide shows of Park photos here - if you have more we could use please contact us.

In March the Cabinet of BTW approved a report outlining what they would like to do in the park.

Much of it makes total sense and would really improve the Park.

The good parts are not new, however - the Telford Town Park Management Plan, which you can find here on the Telford Town Park official site, covers most of these ideas.

The Cabinet approved a report in March 2006 which incudes some very good ideas:

Retention and redesign of Northern Urban Park Zone to include quality play areas, youth facilities, garden areas, water features and visitor information areas.

We have no problem with this.

Redesign and enhancement of Southwater Square and the arena to improve connectivity and to enable development of new interfaces between the Park and the developing Town Centre

This sounds fine - however there is a small problem. The same Cabinet report, now approved, shows the Arena as being now outside the Town Park. We have our (well founded) suspicions about the expansionist plans of the International Centre. One to watch.

The development of formal Gateway entrances

This could be a serious problem at the southern end of the Park, which is why it also appears on our 'The Bad' page. We know of no problems with the plans for the Northern Gateway - but then there are no detailed plans.

Access improvements to pools and recreation areas within the park including safety, signage and physical improvements

Very good. Why hasn't it been done before? Just one thing - how will this be paid for? We know about plans for capital funds, but this kind of thing should be done within the existing Management Plan - except there is no ongoing money to keep up with it. We do not know where that will come from.

Enhancement of bridleways, cycle routes and pathway network

Very good, please do it.

Inclusion of heritage and nature trails

Yes indeed. In fact this may be in hand via the grant obtained by Stirchley and Brookside Parish Council. Of course the council HAD an excellent Environment Education Centre at Stirchley Grange. BCTV volunteers were based there, it was heavily used for schools - and it has been empty and on the market for several years because there is no budget to run it - one of our main concerns about new plans.

An Education and Nature Research area within the Local Nature Reserve

Well yes - depending on exactly what is meant. If anyone wants to put up buildings in what is currently a very natural and unspoilt area of woodland - no.

Retention of a formal Sport and Leisure Zone within the Park

Is this the Rugby Club and its pitches? If so, fine, as long as it is not expected to be used by the many children's football teams who currently use The Elms. A local football club with many youngsters' teams had the opportunity of a substantial grant to improve facilities. They have lost this opportunity because the council withdrew their ten-year lease and replaced it with a rolling licence. Sharp eyes need to be kept on this one!

The Cabinet approved report also has some more good ideas in the details on the map at Appendix 3, the Baseline Infrastructure Map:

• Upgrade the surfacing on the Dark Lane car park, improve signage, lighting etc.
• Identify acceptable site for new and improved youth facilities at the north end
• South Telford Way - enhance existing route through improved signage. Upgrade route condition along a series of formal and informal paths. Very good - one problem - this is the area which another map in the report NEWLY EXCLUDES from Telford Town Park and flags up for disposal!!!!