Public Invited to Name New Shrewsbury Park

A public appeal has been launched to solicit names for an upcoming park, though the chosen suggestion will be required to meet a specific set of criteria. This park is scheduled for development in Shrewsbury’s Roushill area, forming an integral part of a £18.7m town centre redevelopment initiative. A selection of the most suitable names will be compiled into a shortlist for a final public vote in January, with the winning name slated for announcement in February. Ian Nellins, the council’s deputy leader, stated his wish for individuals “to get creative with their suggestions”. However, certain regulations apply. The park’s name cannot be derived from another part of Shrewsbury, to prevent confusion, and must not promote a business or brand, or contain offensive terms. Furthermore, submissions must not include any numbers, special characters, or punctuation, nor should they feature words that are challenging to pronounce or difficult to spell. Names with a royal connection are disallowed, as this would necessitate consent from the Royal family. Additionally, the park cannot be named after any living person. The park is expected to be one of the initial tangible outcomes of the town centre redevelopment, which encompasses the area situated between Smithfield Road, Roushill, and the Darwin Shopping Centre. It will feature play equipment, seating, and a dedicated event space. The council characterized it as “a calm, relaxing space just a few minutes from the bustle of Shrewsbury’s high street”. Name suggestions can be submitted via the Smithfield Riverside website, by emailing info@smithfieldriverside.com, or by sending a written submission to the council by 30 November.