Brookvale Park: following on from Witton Lakes with another large lake to walk around

It made sense at the time while being in Witton Lakes Park to continue the walk into Brookvale Park as it was nearby (and save travelling back there another time). This park is even closer to the M6 than Witton Lakes is, so you can near the noise of the passing traffic. There is a Peace Dove sculpture to see near the start of the walk. We went clockwise around the lake. Xmas Day 2019.

Just after midday on the 25th December 2019 (Christmas Day) we continued our morning walk from Witton Lakes Park into the nearby park that is Brookvale Park.

My post on Witton Lakes is here to click to read and view the photos: Witton Lakes Park: a pair of lakes north of the M6.

 

First up a bit of history from Wikipedia: Brookvale Park.

The park is located in the Stockland Green area of Birmingham (within the Constituency of Erdington). The park has tennis courts, a bowling green, a children's play area and a sailing club.

I'll skip the history mentioned from the 11th to 12th centuries to the 19th century. A waterworks company in 1826 was formed to supply water to the people of Birmingham. In 1856, a waterworks company acquired the Brookvale site from Wyrley Birch. This was then known as the Lower Witton Reservoir. The Birmingham Corporation bought the waterworks company in 1876. Erdington had it's own Urban District Council in the late 19th century. The park opened in 1909. The lake was used until 1926 as an open air swimming pool. The lake and the park are now operated by Birmingham City Council.

 

Having left Witton Lakes Park at Marsh Hill, we crossed over the road, and headed onto George Road. We headed up the path. To the right was a path named Georgina's Way.

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Saw these Canada geese and this swan. Almost thought about going around the lake anti-clockwise, but I saw a sculpture on the other side, so we crossed the bridge and headed in a clockwise direction instead.

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From the bridge is the first proper view of the Brookvale Park Lake. The brook that flows from the pair of Witton Lakes continues into this lake.

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A close up look at the Dove of Peace sculpture at the north west corner of the lake. It was sculpted by the artist Michael Scheuermann. There was a lot of trees around the lake on this side and a lot of bright sunshine.

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Heading up the path, I spotted this Guiness World Records Certificate for the most number of flower bulbs planted by the Stockland Green Community Group at Brookvale Park on the 9th November 2014. Well done, congratulations. OFFICIALLY AMAZING

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Not too far up from that was this sign for John Biddle Walk, which is now the name of the path (running parallel to George Road). Unveiled for the WW1 1914-1918 Centenary, John Biddle served on HMS Monmouth. He died on the 1st November 1914, aged only 23. I would assume this was unveiled 100 years later in 2014.

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To the south east corner of Brookvale Park. Near where George Road meets Park Road and Rosary Road. There is a pair of former toilet blocks (one pictured on the left). As well as the Duck and Reed sculpture gate posts. This was as far as I saw them as we continued around the path following the lake.

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First view of the Brookvale Park Lake not obscured by trees, and without too much bright sunshine. But the sky was blue and not many clouds in the sky. Saw one lone swan on the lake.

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A zoom in to the swan in the lake, it made a nice reflection in the brilliant sunshine that day.

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On the left was the playground, or Play Park. The sunlight was getting a bit too bright on the right.

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This is the Sailing Club, beyond the bollards (near Park Road and North Park Road). Also includes the Park Offices.

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Close up of the Sailing Club. I would guess that they take the boats out of this building. The Park Keeper's Office is on the right. Parking of cars is not allowed in front of these doors.

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Some more swans, and a ramp for boats to go down into the lake. I did not see any boats here that day, probably as it was Christmas Day.

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Several Domestic Ducks and Canada Geese. I think someone was feeding them bread (which people really shouldn't do, but they continue to do so anyway).

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Heading up the path towards the entrance we came in on George Road. Which you can now see the houses behind the lake.

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A branch in the lake with these birds grooming themselves. They are the Great cormorant.

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The George Road houses were starting to make nice reflections in the lake. Was more decent views of the lake from this side than from the other side (due to the trees in the way over there).

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For some reason, the path back felt much faster to walk down, than the path on the other side of the lake. Even the trees made a nice reflection!

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A gull standing on a rock in the lake (I think). Walking on water.

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Near the end of the path and caught this cyclist in a bright yellow jacket going past.

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Before we knew it we had left Brookvale Park and was heading back into Witton Lakes Park to where we started originally on Perry Common Road.

Another park in the area is Short Heath Park, but from Google Maps it just looks like a small park with a field.

Salford Park is on the other side of the M6 and Spaghetti Junction. I will do a post on that park as soon as I can (it's on my Birmingham We Are park backlog to do). I went there in late December 2016.

 

For further photos of my visit to Brookvale Park, please check out my album on Flickr here: Brookvale Park.

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