Matt Adores... Urban Parks!

Matt Adores... Urban Parks!

Living within a British city I have the benefit of having facilities and amenities nearby. Its easy for me to get to the bank, get some shopping on the way home from work and also to enjoy well-maintained public parks and spaces.

Since 1840, Britain has a proud history of setting aside urban land and developing it into a pleasant "countryside within the city". The great Victorian-era industrialists commissioned horticulturalists of the day to create wonderful open spaces for the benefit of everyone.

My hometown has parks maintained by Birmingham City Council.Every suburb has "green space" to relax and escape from the concrete jungle for a while. Most parks have well established trees and plants. The Parks Department keeps the grass mown and replants the flowerbeds every year with bright, colourful blooms.

The photos to the left were taken earlier this week on a sunny evening in Queens Park. There is plenty of space for adults and children to play. I know of several sports and exercise groups that regularly use the park for training sessions. A convenient carpark makes the place easily accessible, and several bus routes pass nearby. If you're hungry or thirsty a pub serving cold drinks and food is within a very short walk.

Throughout the city, the larger parks have their own facilities and some are used to host concerts and fireworks displays. Most have a dedicated play area for with swings, slides and climbing apparatus for the kids. The council have made sure that the ground surrounding them is coated with a soft rubber layer to prevent injuries.

Here's a clickable list of the main parks in Birmingham.
Aston Park
Aston Park Pavilion
Birmingham Wildlife Conservation Park
Cannon Hill Park
Castle Vale Centre Park
Central Neighbourhood Parks
Eastside City Park
Edgbaston Reservoir
Handsworth Park
Kingfisher Country Park
Kings Heath Park
Lickey Hills Country Park
Plantsbrook Reserve
Pype Hayes Park
Rectory Park
Sheldon Country Park
Shire Country Park
Sparkhill Park
Summerfield Park
Swanshurst Park
Sutton Park
Victoria Common
Ward End Park
Woodgate Valley Country Park