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Elliott Brown Environment & green action
10 Dec 2020 - Elliott Brown
Inspiration

Handsworth Park the park near where Boulton and Watt are buried

Went to Handsworth to check out St Mary's Church and Handsworth Park. The church was closed for renovation works so couldn't go inside. The park has a boating lake and an arts trail. Found two of The Big Sleuth 2017 bears in one half of the park. I got the tram but no 16 bus route is nearby if I go again! 

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Handsworth Park the park near where Boulton and Watt are buried





Went to Handsworth to check out St Mary's Church and Handsworth Park. The church was closed for renovation works so couldn't go inside. The park has a boating lake and an arts trail. Found two of The Big Sleuth 2017 bears in one half of the park. I got the tram but no 16 bus route is nearby if I go again! 


See also my Handsworth heritage buildings post. Find all my my Handsworth Park photos over on my Flickr.

The main entrance gates to Handsworth Park from Hamstead Road. I continued on to get close to St Mary's Church, until I noticed that their was renovation works. I then crossed over the road for some more views of the church, before heading into the park. The gate on the right was open on my visit.

dndimg alt="Handsworth Park gates" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Handsworth Park Hamstead Road gates.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Before I got to St Mary's Church on Hamstead Road in Handsworth, I had a look at the lodge house in Handsworth Park. Dated 1897. Not listed.

dndimg alt="Handsworth Park lodge house" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Handsworth Park lodge house (1).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

I had a walk around the boating lake, walking anti-clockwise. The lodge / gate house of 1897 with it's distinctive clock tower and turreted roof.

dndimg alt="Handsworth Park lodge house" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Handsworth Park lodge house (2).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

The Victorian Drinking Fountain Canopy, now part of the Handsworth Park Arts Trail. Probably dating to the late 19th century. Originally called The Austin Lines Fountain. The drinking fountain itself has long since been removed. This view from the Hamstead Road, through the metal fence above the brick wall (on the walk to St Mary's Church, noticed a part of the wall that is broken and in urgent need of repair).

dndimg alt="Handsworth Park Victorian Drinking Fountain" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Handsworth Park Victorian Fountain Canopy.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

The boating lake from the Hamstead Road end of Handsworth Park. Plenty of Canada geese and gulls in this lake. Saw some boats at the other end of the lake.

dndimg alt="Handsworth Park boating lake" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Handsworth Park Boating Lake (1).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Several boats near the island in the middle of the lake. They were up-side-down!

dndimg alt="Handsworth Park boating lake" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Handsworth Park Boating Lake (2).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

A relatively new sculpture unveiled in 2017, called SS Journey, made by the sculptor Luke Perry. Seen from the path I took on the walk around the lake.

dndimg alt="Handsworth Park SS Journey" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Handsworth Park SS Journey (1).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

It is dedicated to the brave individuals who have left their homes around the world and made the journey to Handsworth and other parts of the UK, seeking a new life for themselves and their families. The sculpture is cast in bronze. I think the ship part looks like it was made of steel. It faces one corner of the boating lake.

dndimg alt="Handsworth Park SS Journey" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Handsworth Park SS Journey (2).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Saw this squirrel on top of a bench. As per usual, when you get close to a squirrel they run away! It's already looking autumnal in his park with leaves on the lawn.

dndimg alt="Handsworth Park bench squirrel" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Handsworth Park bench squirrel.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

What looks like an old drinking fountain. It's called Umbrello and it is Grade II listed. It was presented to the park in 1888 by Austin B Lines. Octagonal in plan. Had two shields with inscriptions on them. One of them had a pelican on it.

dndimg alt="Handsworth Park Umbrello" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Handsworth Park Umbrello.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

I eventually headed back to the Hamstead Road entrance / exit. And then headed down Holly Road. I was aware of the Soho railway line running through the park, but missed using any of the footbridges here. I re-entered the other half of the park when I saw one of The Big Sleuth bears from summer 2017.

In the summer of 2017, I didn't get around to travelling to Handsworth, so missed seeing The Big Sleuth bears. Although around late July 2017 came back on the bus through Handsworth after doing Bearwood, Dudley and West Bromwich. These bears are now part of the Handsworth Park Arts Trail, and were installed in October 2017.

This is Sun Guardian created by Goosensi working with Friends of Handsworth Park and the Handsworth Community.

 

dndimg alt="Handsworth Park The Big Sleuth Sun Guardian" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Handsworth Park Big Slueth 2017 (1).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Seen outside of the Handsworth Wellbeing Centre (Handsworth Leisure Centre) was Well Active Bear. Created by Mark Copplestone and Jennie Saunders working with Birmingham Wellbeing Service.

dndimg alt="Handsworth Park - The Big Sleuth - Wellbeing Bear" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Handsworth Park Big Slueth 2017 (2).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Seen on this cylinder outside of the Handsworth Wellbeing Centre was this piece of graffiti street art, part of the Arts Trail in the park. Handsworth Revolution - Steel Pulse.

dndimg alt="Handsworth Park - Handsworth Revolution" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Handsworth Park Wellbeing Centre (1).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

The Handsworth Playcentre is to the left of the Steel Pulse piece. Mostly painted in sky blue paint, with a variety of other colours. Part of the Handsworth Leisure / Wellbeing Centre.

dndimg alt="Handsworth Park - Handsworth Wellbeing Centre - Handsworth Playcentre" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Handsworth Park Wellbeing Centre (2).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

After this, I left the park via Grove Lane and then headed towards Winson Green Outer Circle Tram Stop. Which was about a 20 minute walk away. Maybe one day a new railway station could be built in the middle of the park. Apparently Handsworth Wood Station was here from 1896 to 1941. Passengers found the no 16 bus to be more convenient. Maybe a new staton could be built there on the line from Birmingham New Street towards Walsall on the Chase Line. Similiar to the proposals to rebuild the stations on the Camp Hill Line (Hazelwell, Kings Heath and Moseley).

 

Photos taken by Elliott Brown.

Follow me on Twitter here ellrbrown.

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60 passion points
Elliott Brown Green open spaces
09 Dec 2020 - Elliott Brown
Gallery

Kings Norton Park down the Pershore Road South

While I've been to Kings Norton many times over the years, I've only had one proper walk into Kings Norton Park way back in 2011. Back in 2009 I passed it on the way down the Pershore Road South to Kings Norton Village. And only skimmed it from Westhill Road in 2016. The park is down the hill from Kings Norton Station and Cotteridge. There is a Recreation Ground opposite.

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Kings Norton Park down the Pershore Road South





While I've been to Kings Norton many times over the years, I've only had one proper walk into Kings Norton Park way back in 2011. Back in 2009 I passed it on the way down the Pershore Road South to Kings Norton Village. And only skimmed it from Westhill Road in 2016. The park is down the hill from Kings Norton Station and Cotteridge. There is a Recreation Ground opposite.


Kings Norton Park

This park is located down on the Pershore Road South in Kings Norton, between Kings Norton Station and Cotteridge to the north and the old Kings Norton village to the south. Westhill Road is to the west while Camp Lane is to the north. You can also approach the park from Wychall Lane, and is on the no 45 and 47 bus routes.

There is a group called the Friends of Kings Norton Park. A group of local volunteers who come together to improve and protect the park and neighbour playing fields. (There blog has not been updated since 2014).

There is a 2 kilometre walking route in the park, as well as a skatepark and a playground. The River Rea flows to the northern edge of the park. National Cycle Network route number 5 passes through the park, and it is also part of the Rea Valley Route.

 

2009

My first indirect photos of Kings Norton Park were taken on a walk down the Pershore Road South. Starting in Bournville, then passing Cotteridge and going down to the old Kings Norton village. This was when I started taking photos around Birmingham during April 2009.

Some views of the River Rea. There is at least two bridges on the Pershore Road South, so the first bigger one is definitely the River Rea. The other smaller bridge crosses an unnamed stream.

dndimg alt="Kings Norton Park" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Kings Norton Park (April 2009) (1).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

Another view of the River Rea or an unnamed stream. This was 11 years ago, so I can't remember which bridge I took them from.

dndimg alt="Kings Norton Park" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Kings Norton Park (April 2009) (2).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

The main path into Kings Norton Park with a pair of long paths, with flower beds on the grass in the middle.

dndimg alt="Kings Norton Park" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Kings Norton Park (April 2009) (3).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

2011

My walk near the end of June 2011 through Kings Norton Park was my first proper walk around the park. Starting on Westhill Road. This is probably the River Rea (I used to think it was an unnamed stream).

dndimg alt="Kings Norton Park" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Kings Norton Park (June 2011) (1).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

The main entrance on Westhill Road is similar to that on the Pershore Road South, they look identical. A pair of paths with flower beds in the middle of the lawn.

dndimg alt="Kings Norton Park" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Kings Norton Park (June 2011).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

The playground near the Westhill Road entrance to the park is also near a car park. (obviously during our current situation the playground is now closed). This was some kind of curved climbing frame for kids.

dndimg alt="Kings Norton Park" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Kings Norton Park (June 2011) (2).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

Still in the playground, not sure what this is, with a pair of steps. Can't see if it has a slide. The view was towards the spire of St Nicholas's Church.

dndimg alt="Kings Norton Park" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Kings Norton Park (June 2011) (3).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

Two pairs of swings in the playground.

dndimg alt="Kings Norton Park" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Kings Norton Park (June 2011) (4).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

This was the slide in the playground here.

dndimg alt="Kings Norton Park" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Kings Norton Park (June 2011) (5).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

Now over the the skatepark area of Kings Norton Park.

dndimg alt="Kings Norton Park" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Kings Norton Park (June 2011) (6).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

The skatepark had many ramps for skateboarders and BMX bike riders to do crazy tricks on.

dndimg alt="Kings Norton Park" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Kings Norton Park (June 2011) (7).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

It had graffiti all over it.

dndimg alt="Kings Norton Park" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Kings Norton Park (June 2011) (8).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

Was loads of different sections of the skatepark with barriers at the higher levels.

dndimg alt="Kings Norton Park" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Kings Norton Park (June 2011) (9).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

This was the lower section of the skatepark.

dndimg alt="Kings Norton Park" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Kings Norton Park (June 2011) (10).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

Now onto a path with the trees mostly to the left.

dndimg alt="Kings Norton Park" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Kings Norton Park (June 2011) (11).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

More trees as I got closer to the Pershore Road South.

dndimg alt="Kings Norton Park" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Kings Norton Park (June 2011) (12).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

An old stone bench, which was off one of the paths from the main Pershore Road South entrance.

dndimg alt="Kings Norton Park" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Kings Norton Park (June 2011) (13).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

Saw this wooden post. Sponsored by Birmingham City Council. Would assume it was installed by the Friends of Kings Norton Park. Possibly from some kind of floral trail?

dndimg alt="Kings Norton Park" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Kings Norton Park (June 2011) (14).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

There was this dirt path through a pair of brick and stone gate posts, not far from the Pershore Road South entrance. I have never walked up here (I don't think).

dndimg alt="Kings Norton Park" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Kings Norton Park (June 2011) (15).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

No path behind these brick and stone gateposts, just overgrown bushes (at the time).

dndimg alt="Kings Norton Park" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Kings Norton Park (June 2011) (16).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

2016

Passed nearby again briefly back in February 2016. Again from Westhill Road, but this time I found some steps near the south west corner of the park. You can see the playground in the distance to the left. I started a walk from Kings Norton village from The Green and ended up going up Westhill Road.

dndimg alt="Kings Norton Park" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Kings Norton Park (Feb 2016) (1).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

A look at the steps from Westhill Road. I did not go up these steps, or go into the park this time around.

dndimg alt="Kings Norton Park" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Kings Norton Park (Feb 2016) (2).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

A cycling sign seen from Westhill Road outside of the park. The pavement is only on the left, not pavement on the right (if you are heading up to Camp Lane).

dndimg alt="Kings Norton Park" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Kings Norton Park (Feb 2016) (3).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Yellow and purple crocuses seen on the grass just outside of Kings Norton Park.

dndimg alt="Kings Norton Park" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Kings Norton Park (Feb 2016) (4).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

The crocuses were on the roadside of the lawn, separated by the park barrier.

dndimg alt="Kings Norton Park" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Kings Norton Park (Feb 2016) (5).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Another look at the River Rea from Westhill Road, before I walked up Camp Lane to the Pershore Road South.

dndimg alt="Kings Norton Park" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Kings Norton Park (Feb 2016) (6).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

I keep thinking I already had the photos in past years, so find it hard to find something new to take in Kings Norton. I wont be able to return again until the lockdown ends. It's been well over a year since I last got several buses to Kings Norton. Including when I last walked up the Stratford-on-Avon Canal to Kings Norton Junction. And even on those visits, never thought about going into Kings Norton Park again (the canal walk ended at the Kings Norton Recreation Ground and it was raining at the time).

 

Photos taken by Elliott Brown.

Follow me on Twitter here ellrbrown. Now at 1,100 followers. Thank you.

Birmingham We Are People with Passion award winner 2020

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70 passion points
Elliott Brown Green open spaces
08 Dec 2020 - Elliott Brown
Gallery

Eastside City Park as it was in 2012 onwards after it opened

The land that was used to build Eastside City Park was hoarded off during 2011. And the park was complete and open by the end of 2012. Here we will look at the park when it was brand new and when it was opened. Taking land that was formerly a car park in front of Millennium Point, and part of which was Albert Street. It also runs alongside Curzon Street. Near the BCU Eastside Campus.

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Eastside City Park as it was in 2012 onwards after it opened





The land that was used to build Eastside City Park was hoarded off during 2011. And the park was complete and open by the end of 2012. Here we will look at the park when it was brand new and when it was opened. Taking land that was formerly a car park in front of Millennium Point, and part of which was Albert Street. It also runs alongside Curzon Street. Near the BCU Eastside Campus.


Eastside City Park

Development of the park took place during 2011 and 2012, and was partially opened in late 2012. It was fully opened by the spring of 2013. The park is near Millennium Point, which included the Thinktank Science Garden and a Kids Park. Access to the Science Garden is usually with youtr entrance ticket to Thinktank.

December 2012

This was during December 2012 when the hoardings had come down. My first look around Eastside City Park. Getting on from Park Street, and walking up the footpath around which used to be Albert Street. In the distance is The Woodman pub and Curzon Street Station. The park was partially opened by the then Leader of Birmingham City Council, Sir Albert Bore on the evening Wednesday 5th December 2012.

dndimg alt="Eastside City Park" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Eastside City Park (Dec 2012) (1).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

Looking towards Millennium Point. The tall sculptures near the steps ahead. While new trees had been planted here on the newly laid lawns.

dndimg alt="Eastside City Park" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Eastside City Park (Dec 2012) (2).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

The steps when new, with benches to sit on. Looking towards Millennium Point and the Thinktank Science Garden. This was before the skateboarders started to regularly do their tricks here (well where the water fountain jets are to the right of here). Grosvenor Street West is to the left of here (near BOA (Birmingham Ormiston Academy) which leads to Jennens Road.

dndimg alt="Eastside City Park" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Eastside City Park (Dec 2012) (3).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

Close up look at the four metal sculptures on the steps. The view to the left is of the former Christopher Wray building and the McLaren Building.

dndimg alt="Eastside City Park" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Eastside City Park (Dec 2012) (4).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

Towards Masshouse. The residential block at the front is called Hive.

dndimg alt="Eastside City Park" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Eastside City Park (Dec 2012) (5).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

Masshouse without the sculpture columns in the way. To the left is what was called Hotel La Tour (now the Clayton Hotel).

dndimg alt="Eastside City Park" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Eastside City Park (Dec 2012) (6).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

Heading along the footpath near Curzon Street with Millennium Point and the Parkside Building on the left. The first building of the Birmingham City University Eastside Campus was complete by the summer of 2013.

dndimg alt="Eastside City Park" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Eastside City Park (Dec 2012) (7).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

Now looking back towards Millennium Point. As you could see, the Parkside Building wasn't yet complete.

dndimg alt="Eastside City Park" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Eastside City Park (Dec 2012) (8).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

The lawns as they were at the end of 2012. A brand new park, the first one in the City Centre for over a 100 years. Highgate Park was probably the last one to open within what is now the Middle Ring Road (Middleway's).

dndimg alt="Eastside City Park" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Eastside City Park (Dec 2012) (9).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

This covered canopy seen on the path from Curzon Street.

dndimg alt="Eastside City Park" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Eastside City Park (Dec 2012) (10).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

These early evening photos taken in the middle of December 2012. The Eastside City Park sign with crazy lights near what is now the site of The Emporium Building.

dndimg alt="Eastside City Park" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Eastside City Park after dark (Dec 2012) (1).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

I had heard that the park looked good lit up after dark, so checked it out on the way back to my bus from work. This view towards Millennium Point.

dndimg alt="Eastside City Park" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Eastside City Park after dark (Dec 2012) (2).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

Rush hour traffic to the left on Curzon Street. Before the University Campus opened here, the park wasn't full of students like it is now. Although Birmingham Metropolitan College has always been based in Millennium Point. And BCU had a presence in there even from the UCE days. At this point BCU were still at their old campus in Perry Barr (to be the site of the Commonwealth Games 2022 village).

dndimg alt="Eastside City Park" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Eastside City Park after dark (Dec 2012) (3).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

Some of these shots came out a bit blurry. But you can see the spot lights all over.

dndimg alt="Eastside City Park" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Eastside City Park after dark (Dec 2012) (4).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

The white lights lighting up the new trees.

dndimg alt="Eastside City Park" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Eastside City Park after dark (Dec 2012) (5).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

Getting close to the area with steps and those four metal sculptures.

dndimg alt="Eastside City Park" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Eastside City Park after dark (Dec 2012) (6).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

It was so perfect in December 2012. The paving hadn't got worn like it did in later years.

dndimg alt="Eastside City Park" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Eastside City Park after dark (Dec 2012) (7).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

I'm sure many Birmingham photographers have taken these over the years. But I got it early on in December 2012.

dndimg alt="Eastside City Park" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Eastside City Park after dark (Dec 2012) (8).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

March 2013

By the middle of March 2013, the park was fully complete. So I had another look around, a few days before it was officially opened in full. This is the curvy benches area under the canopy near the park entrance on Park Street.

dndimg alt="Eastside City Park" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Eastside City Park (March 2013) (1).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

Benches line this area with plants and new trees. Towards Curzon Street Station and New Canal Street.

dndimg alt="Eastside City Park" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Eastside City Park (March 2013) (2).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

Towards the Christopher Wray Building and Jennens Court. This is what it looked like 5 years before the Emporium Buillding was built here.

dndimg alt="Eastside City Park" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Eastside City Park (March 2013) (3).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

A few days later it was the day that Eastside City Park was officially opened on the 16th March 2013. Saw this banner.

dndimg alt="Eastside City Park" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Eastside City Park (March 2013) (4).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

Over there on the area where the water jet fountains are, was the official opening ceremony. Councillor Sir Albert Bore (then Leader of Birmingham City Council) was talking about how he envisioned a park when they started the Eastside development back in 1999.

dndimg alt="Eastside City Park" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Eastside City Park (March 2013) (5).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

This view from the steps near the metal sculptures towards the official event formally opening the park in full. The railway line behind with a London Midland train heading in or out of Birmingham New Street Station.

dndimg alt="Eastside City Park" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Eastside City Park (March 2013) (6).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

Water fountain jets

The water fountain jets seen in Eastside City Park during June 2013. Kids used to play in these like the ones in Centenary Square (that opened in summer 2019). And in later years, skateboarders would do tricks here.

dndimg alt="Eastside City Park" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Eastside City Park fountain water jets (1).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

This view from April 2014. The water jets would get quite high. In recent years though, these have not been turned on. Especially since Ice Skate Birmingham had their Big Wheel and Ice Rink here in the winter period of 2018 / 19 (they were on HS2 land on Eastside Green in the winter of 2017 / 18).

dndimg alt="Eastside City Park" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Eastside City Park fountain water jets (2).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

The Canal

Near Millennium Point and the Parkside Building was this canal. There is bridges that crossed it. In April 2013 it looked quite new and in good condition.

dndimg alt="Eastside City Park" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Eastside City Park fountain canal (1).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

But by June 2014, the walls where the water jets came out of looked quite rusted around the holes. And hard marks down the side. This night shot was from December 2014. In the last several times that I've been past here, this has not even been turned on or even full of water. Unless rain water filled it up. Hopefully it can be cleaned and turned back on.

dndimg alt="Eastside City Park" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Eastside City Park fountain canal (2).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

In late July 2019 the state of the canal near the Farmhouse Dairy Ice Cream block. Hardly much water in it. There must be a reason why the Council hasn't turned it on in a while?

dndimg alt="Eastside City Park" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/canalside at east ccity park elliott.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

More recent views to date

This view of Millenniumt Point taken from Eastside City Park during December 2016. On a lovely blue sky day. This was sometime after 11am on Boxing Day 2016 so hardly anyone around!

dndimg alt="Millennium Point" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Millennium Point Eastside City Park (Dec 2016).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Snow on the side border during February 2017. Wasn't much other snow around here.

dndimg alt="Eastside City Park" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Eastside City Park snow (Feb 2017).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Snow in Eastside City Park during March 2018. Well here it was quite slushy and icy. The Emporium Building seen under construction.

dndimg alt="Eastside City Park" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Eastside City Park snow (March 2018) (1).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

More snow on the grass than on the paving. No one around at midday on the 18th March 2018.

dndimg alt="Eastside City Park" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Eastside City Park snow (March 2018) (2).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

This was after dark in January 2019. the Emporium Building was complete by then. Heading into the park, this would be the last time you could see Ice Skate Birmingham at the other end of the park. As they were starting to dismantle the ice rink.

dndimg alt="Eastside City Park" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Eastside City Park after dark (Jan 2019).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

What had happened to the grass in Eastside City Park in March 2019? It looked like this. All patchy. They had to replace the grass during the spring of 2019. I may have applied a filter on this phone shot that I took.

dndimg alt="Eastside City Park" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Eastside City Park (March 2019).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

By May 2019, just soil where the ice rink had been of Ice Skate Birmingham from November 2018 to January 2019. It was raining in the park. As you can see the water jet fountains were still off. And the only water you could see was rain water. HS2 land all hoarded off to the far left. Trees all lush and green though.

dndimg alt="Eastside City Park" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Eastside City Park (May 2019).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

What a transformation to the grass by July 2019! They had laid new grass. The trees all full of green leaves.

dndimg alt="Eastside City Park" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Eastside City Park (July 2019) (1) .jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Hopefully the grass can stay like this into 2020. These days the park is full of students from Birmingham City University. This view towards Millennium Point.

dndimg alt="Eastside City Park" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Eastside City Park (July 2019) (2) .jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

The Woodman pub has been reopen for several years now. Various people walking through the park as I saw this cyclist go past. I think I headed down New Canal Street into Digbeth from here. The tower of Exchange Square Phase I was getting bricked up.

dndimg alt="Eastside City Park" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Eastside City Park (July 2019) (3) .jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

These days struggle to find something to take photos of in Eastside City Park. In August 2019, saw this unusual bike outside of The Woodman. Babboe City. A cargo bike.

dndimg alt="Eastside City Park" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Eastside City Park (August 2019).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Photos taken by Elliott Brown.

Follow me on Twitter here ellrbrown.

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80 passion points
Christine Wright Environment & green action
08 Dec 2020 - Christine Wright
Gallery

Kings Heath Park - a much loved green space in the Birmingham suburbs

Take the full post for a selection of photos looking at the life of Kings Heath Park throughout the seasons. 

The park is managed by Birmingham City Council, with the help of a team of local volunteers, the 'Friends of Kings Heath Park'.

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Kings Heath Park - a much loved green space in the Birmingham suburbs





Take the full post for a selection of photos looking at the life of Kings Heath Park throughout the seasons. 

The park is managed by Birmingham City Council, with the help of a team of local volunteers, the 'Friends of Kings Heath Park'.


All photography by Christine Wright.

Find out more about the 'Friends of Kings Heath Park' by connecting here.

Kings Heath Park is centered on the Park House which was built in 1832 for the MP, William Congreve Russell. In 1880, it was bought by John Cartland (ancestor of the author Barbara Cartland, lover of pinkness and author of  romantic novels!).

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The land was sold to the council and opened as a public park in 1908. The building houses council offices and the Cartland Tea Rooms.

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Plants are available for sale in the nursery at Kings Heath Park.

Let's take a look at the Park though the seasons :

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Photography by Christine Wright.

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Elliott Brown Green open spaces
03 Dec 2020 - Elliott Brown
Inspiration

Another visit to Beacon Hill at the Lickey Hills

Only really had time for one park walk during the second lockdown (before I had to go back to work in the middle of November 2020). We went to Beacon Hill a the Lickey Hills Country Park (by car). After getting the skyline view updates, we walked into the woods, down and around the muddy paths. Got as far as a stream before going back up. The woods were covered in leaves and was quite wet.

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Another visit to Beacon Hill at the Lickey Hills





Only really had time for one park walk during the second lockdown (before I had to go back to work in the middle of November 2020). We went to Beacon Hill a the Lickey Hills Country Park (by car). After getting the skyline view updates, we walked into the woods, down and around the muddy paths. Got as far as a stream before going back up. The woods were covered in leaves and was quite wet.


Beacon Hill into the woods with mud

The weather in November 2020, hasn't been great. We were in lockdown again for 4 weeks. So couldn't go far unless going in the car. And I wouldn't go back to work in the City Centre until the middle of the month (by which time the weather had improved a bit).

Before then we went in the car to Beacon Hill at the Lickey Hills Country Park on the 10th November 2020. Was a bit cloudy. First priority was to get updates of the skyline. Then we had a bit of a walk down the hill into the woods. Some paths were quite muddy and wet, so shoes and jeans got covered in the muck.

Some signposts pointed to the Rose & Crown and Monument Lane. Although we ended up not getting close to either of those (apart from the road with the stream).

 

Birmingham Skyline, November 2020

First up checking out the Birmingham Skyline. New to the skyline is 103 Colmore Row and The Mercian.

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As well as The Bank Tower's 1 & 2.

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You can see why they call Birmingham the City of trees!

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If you zoom in a bit, you can see Old Joe at the University of Birmingham on the skyline with The Sentinels and the Beetham Tower.

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Zooming in from Beacon Hill to see 103 Colmore Row to the left of The Cube.

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103 Colmore Row was seen behind Chamberlain Tower at The Vale Village (University of Birmingham).

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The zoom in to The Mercian finds it in front of The BT Tower. The Bank Towers's 1 & 2 seen to the left.

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You also have the Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham and Park Regis Birmingham Hotel in this view.

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Beacon Hill Toposcope

All my main Toposcope photos were taken back during my earlier May 2013 visit so wasn't going to take any new shots of it. But took this pair after the muddy walk down and around the woods as we headed back to the car park.

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Was good to be back at the top of the hill, after getting a bit lost around the woods as you will see below. Nice to see the Toposcope again!

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Around the woods in the mud

At first the path in the woods close to the top of the hill looked quite dry.

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There was leaves all over the ground below the trees.

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The further you got in, the more autumnal it looked, but off the paths.

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Up to the fingerpost. Rose & Crown to the left, Monument Lane to the right.

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Behind the fingerpost, the hill going down. Don't walk down this bit!

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We first headed towards the Rose & Crown. But the path got muddy the further you went down, so we went back up.

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Now heading in the direction of Monument Lane, some trees still have leaves on in yellows and greens.

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Still a bit muddy as we went down the hill.

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Getting further down and there was a lot of leaves on the path.

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Some green fields nearby.

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End of this path near the steps, was very muddy with a puddle, but found another way around.

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This way seemed less muddy down to the stream.

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The stream near the road. I think this was closer to Rose Hill, but we didn't head that way.

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Other side of the stream, lined with rocks. We headed this way.

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Heading up a bit, this path looked dry.

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Saw a bridge over the stream and steps, so headed up this short cut to get back up to the Toposcope.

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Leaves on the path as we went back up.

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Back on the main path back up to the top of the hill.

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Not far now as there was daylight behind the trees.

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Back up at the top with the field at the top of Beacon Hill.

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For my original post on Beacon Hill go to this post here: Beacon Hill at the Lickey Hills Country Park.

 

Photos taken by Elliott Brown. Can be found on Twitter: ellrbrown.

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