Snaprails Park

Snaprails Park is an attractive 3.5 hectare Green Flag awarded park located to the west of Owlsmoor in Sandhurst. The park provides an important recreation area as well as a through-route for many local residents.

The current site reflects the grounds of the 19th century house that was once situated here and the park lodge still stands at the end of the main drive. The original resident of Snaprails House was a keen plant collector and landscaper and today the park benefits from a range of mature trees and ornamental shrubs such as giant redwood, swamp cypress, a tulip tree and three large Wellingtonias.

In 1934, during the Second World War, Frederic Robinson, the then owner, invited local children to visit for boat rides after having tea parties at the Working Men’s Club on Wellington Road.

The house and grounds fell into disrepair after the Second World War and the site was sold for development in the 1970s, with Snaprails Park and the bulk of the surrounding estates created in the 1980s. The park was transferred into the ownership of Bracknell Forest Council and opened to the public in 1985. Much has been done since then to make this site an attractive place for local residents.

Snaprails Park has:

• open grassy areas, a stream and pond and native woodland
• children’s play area suitable for toddlers and juniors
• picnic benches and seating areas
• three footbridges, which enable access to the island over the lake
• a living willow tunnel in the Secret Garden
• a cycle way that passes through the central part of the site, linking Wellington Road with Sandhurst Sports Centre
• a selection of historic ornamental trees

Park management

Bracknell Forest Council park rangers work closely with local residents, including the Snaprails Residents’ Association, who help play a key role in managing the park and helping to ensure the park remains a safe and enjoyable place to visit.

There is a park management plan for Snaprails park.

Wildlife

The woodland provides a habitat for nesting birds and roosting bats, whilst the loggery and habitat piles provide places for small mammals and invertebrates. There is also a live willow tunnel in the ‘Secret Garden’ and native wildflower areas.

The original resident of Snaprails House was a keen plant collector and landscaper and today the park benefits from a range of mature trees and ornamental shrubs such as giant redwood, swamp cypress, a tulip tree and three large Wellingtonias.