Have your say on the Hillmorton Recreation Ground masterplan

The council has published a masterplan detailing a range of improvements to the recreation ground in Featherbed Lane, and has now launched a public consultation to find out what residents think about the proposed revamp.

The masterplan was drawn up following a public consultation in the spring, which saw more than 150 Hillmorton residents and community organisations voice ideas for the future of the recreation ground. 

Many of the ideas have been incorporated in the masterplan, which includes an outdoor gym and picnic area to complement the recreation ground's current children's play area and skatepark.

The masterplan also includes wildflower meadows and grassland to create habitats for wildlife, and the planting of dozens of trees - including the creation of an orchard to surround the recreation ground's windmill mound, a Scheduled Ancient Monument thought to date back to the medieval period.

And the revamp retains a generous open space of closely mown grass suitable for ball games.

Residents can now comment on the masterplan online at www.rugby.gov.uk/hillmortonrec 

Cllr Howard Roberts, Rugby Borough Council portfolio holder for environment and public realm, said: "The masterplan for Hillmorton Recreation Ground maintains the park's status as a place for sport and leisure while also furthering the council's work to create sustainable, natural environments for wildlife and pollinators.

"We have worked with the Hillmorton community throughout the process of drawing up this masterplan, and we welcome comments from the community before moving forward to the next stage of the project."

Following the consultation, the council plans to finalise the masterplan before drawing up a management plan for the recreation ground and applying for funding for the project.

The consultation closes at 5pm on 26 February.

Photo caption: Cllr Howard Roberts, Rugby Borough Council portfolio holder for environment and public realm, discusses the masterplan for Hillmorton Recreation Ground with Chris Worman, the council's parks and grounds manager.