Handsworth Park
Introduction
Handsworth Park lies in the centre of Handsworth and is a welcome oasis for the many people who visit the area. The park reflects the many different and varied cultures in the staff and users of the park. It has a wonderfully maintained landscape, children's play area and a modern leisure centre located within the grounds where toilet facilities and vending machines are available.
The 'Boat House' cafe with its picturesque view right by the lake is open every day between 10am & 7pm (opening times may be reduced in the winter). If you are still stuck for ideas for the kids, the boats are back on the lake, pop down and have a go.
Events and Education
The Ranger Service offers a wide range of activities and events such as nature walks, practical conservation activities and general activities with play centres and community groups. In addition, the Ranger Service also offers activities for schools. At most of our events a speaker of Urdu, Punjabi and Mirpuri will be available. The service also runs one-off events for community groups and organisations, for example, mosques, temples, churches and playgroups.
History
Handsworth Park (formerly known as Victoria Park) occupies over 63 acres. It was largely created in two parts, the first opened on June 20 1888, the second added in 1895. In fact, during its early years, the land was acquired piece by piece. Over twenty acres, which once formed part of the Grove estate, were initially purchased in 1887 from the Birmingham and Midland Bank Ltd for ,500. A further 9,000 square yards were leased for 999 years, from June 1890, from William Mayner; a slice was added in March 1895, sold by Philip Williams, and in March 1895 sixteen acres were purchased from the Ecclesiastical Commissioners. Finally, in November 1901, a second strip of land to Hinstock Road was purchased from the Williams, the majority of this being added to the park and a small piece being retained for the construction of public baths. Despite this rather piecemeal approach, the landscape has a remarkable unity of design - a testament to the quality of the plans prepared for the first 20 acres by RH Vertegans.
Although Handsworth had perhaps 1200 years of independent history before it became part of Birmingham in 1911, its development was slow and patchy. Apart from the Tame Valley, much of the area is covered by glacial drift deposits and the soil is porous and acidic. This meant that the land was mainly heath with some light woodland unsuitable for agriculture.
Restoration
Handsworth Park, designed over 100 years ago, by nurseryman and landscape designer Richard Hartland Vertegens, has Grade II listed status, reflecting its importance as a fine example of a 19th century urban park and, despite the fact that it had become somewhat careworn in recent years, remained a much loved park.
The park has now been returned to its former Victorian splendour, with a superb range of community facilities. The regeneration is one of the most significant park improvement schemes in the West Midlands.
Now superbly restored, the park represents a decade of hard work by the Handsworth Park Association and other local residents, ward councillors, and city council officers, especially those from within the Parks, Sports and Events service, who led from the outset. All worked closely together to lobby for, bid and successfully secure the .5 million funding required to upgrade the park and its buildings. There have been major contributions from the Heritage Lottery Fund, European Regional Development Fund, Single Regeneration Budget, Advantage West Midlands as well as the council.
Handsworth is one of the most ethnically and culturally diverse areas in Europe. The park is once again at the heart of this community, responding to different needs.
Today, the park continues to be popular with families, dog-walkers and school children. The park also plays host to a number of events from Vaisakhi with its huge processions to Marcus Garvey Festival with music and entertainment. The Classroom in the Park attracts families and children to enjoy history, fauna and flora of the park.
Directions
Bus Routes
From the city centre/ Hamstead: no.16
Outer Circle: no. 11
Main entrances via Hamstead Road and Grove lane.
For more information and photographs on the history, restoration and current use of the park, including a map, you can view a pdf of the brochure below: Handsworth Park - Restoration and Rejuvenation
Handsworth Park Brochure: Photography Credits
The following people/organisations have supplied images used in the brochure:
HTLA Historic Landscape Consultants
Bandstand p9, p10
Wall p10
Plan p13-14
Trees back cover
Vanley Burke
Children playing on frozen lake, c 1970
Cricket in Handsworth Park, c1970
Boy with Flag, c1970
Boy Scouts in Handsworth Park, c 1970
Mike Newton, Thomas Vale
Bandstand, p1
Bandstand opening, p2
All 4 on p9
Railings, p10
Lake, p12
Simon and Jacquie, back cover