Shifnal residents are up in arms claiming a £75,000 playground revamp will turn the open space into a massive theme park.
Wheatfield Drive play area received the cash boost to transform the area by building new play equipment, a BMX track and a shelter for youngsters to hang out in. Work started last week, but residents are furious.
Shifnal town councillor Beryl Shelton said: “It is a devastation of our green space. The residents are really up in arms. They say they have not been consulted.
“It is going to be massive – like a theme park.
“A lot of elderly people use this area to walk their dogs and they say they haven’t been told and that last week was the first time they had a letter about it.
“I am on the town council and I didn’t know what was going on. I am just so cross.”
Geoff Barnes, a Shifnal litter picker, said he felt the extra play equipment would disturb the near-by residents.
He said he has stopped picking up litter in the area in protest.
“I feel sorry for the people who live in the area,” he said. “We have stopped litter picking.
“I started to litter picking a long time ago when I just saw something and picked it up. I have even had an award for doing it about four years ago.
“But we just don’t like the way this has all been done.”
Miranda McCartney, from Shifnal, said: “Why couldn’t a cut of the money for the park have gone towards a new swimming pool?”
But cash for the scheme comes from Playbuild, Big Lottery Funding and is earmarked specifically for a play area.
Carolyn Healy, Parks and Countryside Sites team manager, Shropshire Council, said: “There has been extensive consultation with children and residents and as a result, additional tree and shrub planting has been included in the scheme to enhance the site and minimise the impact of views from properties.
“It was identified as a much needed facility for Shifnal. The Wheatfield Recreation Ground is the only fully accessible playing field in the town and with this investment it will truly cater for the whole community as a place to play, take part in outdoor sports or just to have a walk and get some fresh air, right in the heart of the town.”