Pype Hayes Park

My only memory of Pype Hayes park as a child, was slipping through fences in November in order to get to the fun fair, or going to bonfires there when I was little. As an adult, I’d never been until last summer when one day, en-​route to Sutton Park, and with time not in my favour, I decided to try it out.
There’s a good sized car park, and, in the summer months, a portaloo as well as a regular ice-​scream van, serving the families who go there to use the modern and enclosed play area right by the car park. There are picnic benches under the trees, and so there’s plenty on offer for families who want an afternoon out.
As a dog person, it’s a haven! There is a great circular walk that takes you through the park along a good footpath, and offers dogs a huge amount of field to run around on, play, sniff bums, wag tails and pee on each other, as dogs do! The walk then leads you (depending on which direction you go) down and along Plants Brook, a peaceful stretch of the walk that is possible three quarters of a mile if you walk to the perimeter of the park. In the spring time, there are long stretches where wildflowers bloom with vivid reds, blues and yellows. You may also get lucky and see the resident Heron in flight.
Turning back up across more open land will bring you along to a small lake where there are often fishermen focussed upon their catch, and ducks, geese and swans swim about, keeping eager eyes open for crusts of bread.
Back towards the car park and by the house which is (I believe) used as local council offices, there is also a cultivated garden which is very pretty in the summer (dogs on leads in there please!). There are many options of walk, though if it’s been wet for a while, you are restricted to the path unless you wear willies or like being ankle deep in thick dark goo.
Everyone is very friendly, and if you’re a dog owner, it’s a great place to socialise you four legged friend!

I had driven past Pype Hayes Park in Erdingon numerous times but never visited it until a huge fireworks display they had as part of a funfair. There were thousands of people who had come to see the spectacle, which was surprising because I had no idea the park attracted so many visitors.
When I got there, I understood why. It’s a vast area of greenery with a tranquil lake surrounded by scenic landscapes. There are lots of ornamental gardens with a random grade II listed building!
They have lots of friends groups like running or walking groups. And they have a boot camp. I saw them training once and thought «better you than me!»
The park is full of life and energy yet it’s a perfect place to relax and reflect — well, I go to parks for the latter anyway!

This is a major city park of over 100 acres. It contains a fishing pool, bowling green and both hard and grass tennis courts. To the west of the gardens is a fish pond which is also a duck pond with a duck island, many species of water birds can be found there, notably Mallard ducks, Canada geese and frequently a pair of resident mute swan.
There is also a play area. The park contains a number of ornamental gardens, with many bedding areas. It is also the location for an annual bonfire carnival. Each year, Birmingham City Council organises an official firework display on or around the 5^th November, admission is free. The park is also the site of the ward’s millennium woodland. There is a very strong and active friends group and the buildings in the park are grade II listed.