The gates have opened for a massive array of new facilities at Sherford, providing fun for all the family and turning Sherford into a must-visit destination. An exciting and expansive new playground, skatepark and multi-use games area are now ready for action – and tennis courts and 3G pitches will follow soon.
The Sherford Consortium – a partnership between Taylor Wimpey and Vistry Partnerships, which includes Bovis Homes and Linden Homes – ‘upgraded’ the community’s first playground, going beyond the planning requirements to bring a bigger and better facility to Sherford. It spans 1,850 square metres and is jam-packed with equipment, as well as areas to relax and safely socialise.
The playground has everything from climbing nets and structures, to stepping posts and swinging hammocks. Classic playground kit, like a slide and fireman’s pole, sit alongside a climbing whirl and rotating balance beam. A major part of the design is a large piece of ‘multi use’ equipment, with gangways, a slide, nets, climbing walls and balance beams. The playground includes a wheelchair accessible piece of auditory equipment – a large wooden Xylophone – and wheelchair access to a jungle swing.
The distinctive new play park uses natural materials throughout, and benches and picnic tables sit within a landscaped area of grass, trees, shrubs and hedges, so that it feels part of the natural environment. Trees like English Oak, Silver Birch, Wild Cherry and Scots Pine add to the scenery and provide shelter. The landscaping has been expertly handled by Plymouth-based YGS Landscapes, which is responsible for Sherford’s abundant green space.
A curved path leads from the playground to a skatepark which features bowls, ramps, curbs and rails for street and trick skating, all set out so that multiple users can use the same space at the same time. The facility has been delivered by Maverick – a skater-run business specialising in the design and installation of spray concrete skateparks – and will cater for skaters, scooters, rollerbladers, and BMX riders of all levels and abilities.
Located just beyond the skatepark is the multi-use games area (MUGA). This is a secure outdoor space for sport, learning and play. Suitable for a variety of sports, from football and hockey, to basketball and netball, residents and visitors of all ages can enjoy different sports within one area. Professional basketball team, Plymouth Raiders, shot hoops at the games area as part of a Sherford community initiative.
In addition, two more sports facilities located in the same area are set to open before long, with a new booking system in development to allow access. Impressive new tennis courts will be ready for use this summer, and all-weather 3G pitches are expected to open by the end of the year.
Jenna Waters from Vistry Partnerships and the Sherford Consortium, said:
“We are excited to open these special new facilities at Sherford; it really is the perfect place to play and enjoy the great outdoors. This is a wonderful addition for families who have made Sherford their home, and also for those who haven’t visited Sherford yet and are keen to explore what a unique place this is.
“Having access to safe and fun outdoor space is incredibly important, especially after the experiences of the past year. We recognise that, and a huge amount of work and investment has gone into creating high-quality play spaces that celebrate the natural environment and offer something for everyone.”
Decades in planning, construction at Sherford is progressing well, and the town is already flourishing. When complete, Sherford will have 5,500 homes in three distinct neighbourhoods, four schools, community facilities, shops, businesses, abundant green space, a 500-acre community park and much more. Visit Sherford.org for more information on
