{"id":14523,"date":"2026-10-19T19:10:28","date_gmt":"2026-10-19T19:10:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/mikeeasley.co.uk\/wordpress\/?p=14523"},"modified":"2026-10-22T11:35:23","modified_gmt":"2026-10-22T11:35:23","slug":"riverside-gardens","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mikeeasley.co.uk\/wordpress\/?p=14523","title":{"rendered":"Riverside Gardens"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">18 months ago, when we first took an interest in the flat in Shrewsbury that would eventually become our home, the view from the lounge windows was the remains of a grim 1960s shopping centre that was scheduled for demolition. We knew that the town council had a plan to build a park in its place, but with funding being scarce we didn\u2019t have much confidence that this would actually happen. In the end we decided that we liked the flat so much that it was worth a gamble. Thankfully, soon after we signed on the dotted line it gradually became clear that we would indeed be getting a park. At lunchtime today the dignitaries from the town council arrived for the opening.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/mikeeasley.co.uk\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/img_0544.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1284\" src=\"https:\/\/mikeeasley.co.uk\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/img_0544.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-14516\" srcset=\"https:\/\/mikeeasley.co.uk\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/img_0544.jpg 2000w, https:\/\/mikeeasley.co.uk\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/img_0544-300x193.jpg 300w, https:\/\/mikeeasley.co.uk\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/img_0544-1024x657.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/mikeeasley.co.uk\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/img_0544-768x493.jpg 768w, https:\/\/mikeeasley.co.uk\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/img_0544-1536x986.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/mikeeasley.co.uk\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/img_0544-467x300.jpg 467w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">There were lots of reporters, the story even featured on the BBC. You can see our flats overlooking the park on the left in the photograph below.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"807\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/mikeeasley.co.uk\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/img_0550-807x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-14522\" srcset=\"https:\/\/mikeeasley.co.uk\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/img_0550-807x1024.jpg 807w, https:\/\/mikeeasley.co.uk\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/img_0550-237x300.jpg 237w, https:\/\/mikeeasley.co.uk\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/img_0550-768x974.jpg 768w, https:\/\/mikeeasley.co.uk\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/img_0550-1211x1536.jpg 1211w, https:\/\/mikeeasley.co.uk\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/img_0550.jpg 1577w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 807px) 100vw, 807px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">After the fuss had all died down we walked across the road to take a look. Val got some photos.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/mikeeasley.co.uk\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/img_2323.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1798\" height=\"1348\" src=\"https:\/\/mikeeasley.co.uk\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/img_2323.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-14521\" srcset=\"https:\/\/mikeeasley.co.uk\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/img_2323.jpg 1798w, https:\/\/mikeeasley.co.uk\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/img_2323-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/mikeeasley.co.uk\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/img_2323-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/mikeeasley.co.uk\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/img_2323-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/mikeeasley.co.uk\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/img_2323-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/mikeeasley.co.uk\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/img_2323-400x300.jpg 400w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1798px) 100vw, 1798px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/mikeeasley.co.uk\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/img_2321.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1500\" src=\"https:\/\/mikeeasley.co.uk\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/img_2321.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-14520\" srcset=\"https:\/\/mikeeasley.co.uk\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/img_2321.jpg 2000w, https:\/\/mikeeasley.co.uk\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/img_2321-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/mikeeasley.co.uk\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/img_2321-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/mikeeasley.co.uk\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/img_2321-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/mikeeasley.co.uk\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/img_2321-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/mikeeasley.co.uk\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/img_2321-400x300.jpg 400w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/mikeeasley.co.uk\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/img_2326.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1500\" height=\"2000\" src=\"https:\/\/mikeeasley.co.uk\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/img_2326.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-14519\" srcset=\"https:\/\/mikeeasley.co.uk\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/img_2326.jpg 1500w, https:\/\/mikeeasley.co.uk\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/img_2326-225x300.jpg 225w, https:\/\/mikeeasley.co.uk\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/img_2326-768x1024.jpg 768w, https:\/\/mikeeasley.co.uk\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/img_2326-1152x1536.jpg 1152w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/mikeeasley.co.uk\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/img_2324.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1862\" height=\"1396\" src=\"https:\/\/mikeeasley.co.uk\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/img_2324.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-14518\" srcset=\"https:\/\/mikeeasley.co.uk\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/img_2324.jpg 1862w, https:\/\/mikeeasley.co.uk\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/img_2324-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/mikeeasley.co.uk\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/img_2324-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/mikeeasley.co.uk\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/img_2324-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/mikeeasley.co.uk\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/img_2324-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/mikeeasley.co.uk\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/img_2324-400x300.jpg 400w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1862px) 100vw, 1862px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/mikeeasley.co.uk\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/img_2327.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1883\" height=\"1412\" src=\"https:\/\/mikeeasley.co.uk\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/img_2327.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-14517\" srcset=\"https:\/\/mikeeasley.co.uk\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/img_2327.jpg 1883w, https:\/\/mikeeasley.co.uk\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/img_2327-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/mikeeasley.co.uk\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/img_2327-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/mikeeasley.co.uk\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/img_2327-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/mikeeasley.co.uk\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/img_2327-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/mikeeasley.co.uk\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/img_2327-400x300.jpg 400w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1883px) 100vw, 1883px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It all looks very nice, with rocks for the kids to climb on and &#8216;bug hotels&#8217; to encourage pollinators. There\u2019s still work to do &#8211; apparently the council has 6000 plants waiting to be planted. It looks like our gamble has paid off.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>18 months ago, when we first took an interest in the flat in Shrewsbury that would eventually become our home, the view from the lounge windows was the remains of a grim 1960s shopping centre that was scheduled for demolition. &hellip; <a href=\"https:\/\/mikeeasley.co.uk\/wordpress\/?p=14523\">Continue reading <span class=\"meta-nav\">&rarr;<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":14516,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-14523","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-travelsandtribulations"],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/mikeeasley.co.uk\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/img_0544.jpg","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/mikeeasley.co.uk\/wordpress\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14523","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/mikeeasley.co.uk\/wordpress\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/mikeeasley.co.uk\/wordpress\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mikeeasley.co.uk\/wordpress\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mikeeasley.co.uk\/wordpress\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=14523"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/mikeeasley.co.uk\/wordpress\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14523\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mikeeasley.co.uk\/wordpress\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/14516"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/mikeeasley.co.uk\/wordpress\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=14523"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mikeeasley.co.uk\/wordpress\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=14523"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mikeeasley.co.uk\/wordpress\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=14523"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}