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a centre for place-making
Discussion pieces are submitted by our staff, board members, expert panel members and guest contributors. Add your comments and join in the discussion.
The first thing I noticed about Birmingham was that there are no green spaces. Of course sometimes there are trees in planters but no fields or big lawns where you can lay down.
Birmingham has some Parks so I went and visited Highgate Park. It’s not really big but there is enough space for a few people to lay down and read a book, listen to music or relax from the city life. But the people don’t use it a lot. They only pass through. Around the Park live a lot people, but the Park is nearly empty. There is also a place for Kids but I did not see any.
When you ask the Brummie where the Park is they are don’t know it and they are surprised that there is one. The Park is not really well cared for. I really surprised that the Brummies don’t really use it because I really liked it and it is a nice park. You can relax from city life and from the concrete, which is everywhere. Maybe something is missing in the park that would bring the people to the park. Maybe sculptures that can the kids use as climbing frame, maybe the kids which lives there, can make them in a creative project.
So to all Brummies: Use your parks! Nobody knows how long will they last, maybe in a few years there are also concrete and you wish you had a place to relax from the city life. The rich people go and buy a house in the nature but what are the poor people to do?
Matthew Westley
Thank you for your positive response.
Kristina Lorenz
Kristina - there are other spaces you may try - first next to the Cathedral of St Philip’s always a spot for people to chill out. Then there is the green at St Paul’s. If you prefer the other church then there is a space in front of St. Chads. Birmingham’ s Parks tend to be used at the weekends. This is because we are all busy working, and the lazy are still in bed. Birmingham is most famous for its love of trees, and we consider there are more of them here per square mile than any other European City. Finally we are aiming to have a new park in east side opposite the millenium centre, all approved and ready to start!
peter douglas osborn
Hi Kristina - I do agree that there could be more green spaces inside the outer ring round and much more can be done with existing green spaces! - One park (not really classed as one) is behind the new Birmingham Library (opposite centenary square). It could be a great park if utilized correctly through buildings and the canal. One to check out!
Further out, I find there are plenty more parks in the suburbs which you can enjoy a lie down. But unlike parks that are owned by BCC, many could do with more facilities for children etc. We only a stones throw away from enjoying larger parks/countryside such as Barr Beacon, Lickey Hills, Bewdley and Cannock Chase.