One of Birmingham's lesser known parks, and all the better for it, if you ask me! We really are…read moreblessed / spoiled over in the south of the city when it comes to parks - there seems to be one every few hundred yards - from large, countryside-equse open spaces like Warley Woods and the Lickeys, to ornate urban parks like Cannon Hill Park. This place is a little of both - the large open space that dominates it provides a lovely respite from the bustle of Harborne, and the gardens that border it are well kept and a legacy of the park's Victorian roots. A great little park - much recommended!

Queens Park is one of Birmingham's best parks in my opinion, its very secluded and not very known…read moreabout and all the better for it! We don't have many great outdoor spaces in Harborne so its a great place for young children, teenagers and adults too. Its has a great open large space, people come here to play football, tennis (has 2 tennis courts), basketball (has a basketball court). Has a playground area for young children. Very popular with dog walkers, joggers and cyclists. Ive been here day and night and never had any trouble, the gardens are well kept and very pretty in every season. There is 2 car parks available on site which is free, space available for disabled vehicles too. A great little park!

Stockbrook park is a beautiful open area right in the city centre. There is a vast amount of green…read moreboundaried by lots of trees and bushes. There is lots of space for people to let their dogs run free. For the children there are 2 play areas. There is a traditional area with soft flooring that is gated for small children with Swings, a slide, a roundabout, bouncy things and a climbing frame. There is also a bigger adventure area for older children with a bigger climbing frame and ropes and swinging tyres. There is a basketball court and fenced off hard surface football pitch as well as 2 large grass pitches which is used by several teams at the weekends and in the evenings. There are plenty of seats and benches around for parents and dog owners to sit and watch while their charges run around and have fun. I live right opposite the park and it is always a hive of activity not to mention all the wildlife to see. There are plenty of breeds of birds along with grey squirrels and even the resident family of foxes that seem to roam about at all times of the day and night.

Shirley Park is in Shirley, Solihull, close to a shopping area that is becoming more popular with…read morepeople from outside the Shirley area. The park provides relief to the frantic high street and is ideal for a family picnic. There are a wide range of activities in the Park, including pitch and putt, and a range of events through out the summer months. The Donkey Derby is one of my favourites. It is a large outdoor summer fair with lots of animals to interact with I was lucky enough to speak to the parks warden and he told me the Park was originally home to farmland, which was bought up in 1927. At a later stage additional features were introduced which included an ornamental garden and formal walkways. A walk through the woods of the park is especially pleasant in spring when the bluebells produce a vivid array of colours. It is also possible to view wildfowl as the pond is used on a frequent basis by birds and wildlife. Play equipment includes: - Junior & toddler swings, Junior & toddler multi play, Senior & junior mound slide, Talking flowers, Horse springers, reveloution roundabout, play car and crazy mirrors. I grew up in the area as a child and have fond memories of this park, to the extent that I visit it most weeks.

I don't use the term 'hidden gem' often, many because it's such a cliche and rarely true in these…read moredays of vapid overstatement. However, in this case it is literally true. You might never know it exists unless you're a resident of the local patch. I've lived over this side of Birmingham for over ten years and only discovered its existence a few months ago. I found it because I was trying to find Playpod (a soft play area) off the Stratford Road and stumbled upon this park by accident. There's plenty of green space surrounded by trees where you can play football or use the tennis courts if team games aren't you're thing. It's a great place for a picnic too, even though it's surrounded by busy residential streets. The play ground has swings, climbing frames, various slides, those flowers that you can talk into, a roundabout, play car andfunny mirrors. Everything is in pretty good condition too. There's also a skate park and even pitch and putt (though you have to take your own clubs and balls if you want to play.) I don't remember seeing any toilets because for once we didn't need to use them, but I'm sure there must be some nearby. If you want snacks and drinks, the shops on the high street are a few minutes away.

Not the greatest of parks truth be told and its not a park I go to that often. I guess you could…read moresay this is a park for children who are under the age of nine although there are skateboard ramps for skateboarders out there. The park is right behind Hill Top Library (B70 0RZ) as well as the Hill Top Community Centre. There is a field close by where you can go for a jog or even take your mates along and play football. There are also basketball courts as well so if you do fancy a game basketball, then you might want to go to Hill Top Park. I wouldn't it is a fantastic park but its not the worst. If you are local and have any children, this park is OK for those that want to go on the swings, go on the slides or even climb the monkey bars.

McGoldrick Park is located near Huyton Town Centre in a pleasant residential area. The park…read moreconsists of a playground, bowling green, tennis courts, basketball posts and attractive flower beds. There are many mature trees throughout the park and even fruit trees along one of the main paths. The park is split into two halves by Rydal Road, each with its own distinctive feel. Unfortunately that is where the nicety ends as it was the scene of the horrific murder of Anthony Walker an innocent young man who was killed it is believed because of the colour of his skin- We should all be ashamed that this can happen in this country and it goes to prove why any show of bigotry or hatred because of ethnic origin, colour or whatever the personal circumstances of a person should never be given a public forum. I would ask the Qype Community to support this and to also stop petty little comments without a basis or with no regard to the history of another community member. I give 5 stars to this park in memory of Anthony and as a mark of respect for the loss of such a nice young man. R.I.P.

Kings Heath park is absolutely huge. It's great to have picnics at, go for walks, have colour…read morefights (as my friends and I did ) , walk the dogs and even entertain the kids. Everytime I go there are always various clubs going on which is great to have something to occupy time with! Additionally, it has very quiet areas, especially by the pond , and I usually take work and do it there. It's a great park!

I like Kings Heath park, it's got a lot going for it. First…read moreoff, it's a like a park of two halfs, oh and it's massive. It's like maybe two, three or even four parks in one. You've got the footpath that leads all the way around the park, which is popular with walkers, joggers and cyclists. This path will lead you from one of the three entrances right down to where the park edges alongside the trainline. How many miles this walkway is I don't know, but it's a good walk to take it all in. The path snakes in around the parks water feature which is really quite beautiful and is popular with ducks. There is also a tea room, tennis courts, a bowling green, basketball hoops, and two childrens playgrounds. This is a supreme park with large open grass spaces to boot. Kings Heath park is a great asset to the south of Birmingham and has a great deal to offer visitors.

Considering I eat and drink out as much as possible, there has to be some sort of action plan when…read moreit comes to shifting the pounds. That's why I'm exceptionally lucky to live next door to Alexandra park, a leafy oasis in the red brick jungle of Edgeley. Not only are there 3 reservoirs with a multitude of fishermen hogging the banks, there's also tennis, basketball and football courts all free and fully unlocked to the public 24/7. There's also the Edgeley crown green bowls pitches to the north of the park which are super popular with an older clientele, plus there's all ages going for it in the tai chi each morning. It's a great place to go for an early morning run, walk your dog (wow - everyone seems to know each other!) and I personally go to shoot a few hoops most morning to get my basketball on (wind permitting...) Perfect for folks with kids - there's a huge playground onsite!

Many people are unsure of the gym or even swimming. Some people find it uncomfortable. Copley is…read morenot one of these centres. Over the years it has expanded to not only fit in with the times, but to adapt to every need possible. The leisure centre has much to offer such as two swimming pools; one large one for adults and a smaller one for children and teaching swimming lessons. Also within the centre is a large sports hall for football fanatics for 5 a side football as well as badminton, basketball and many other activities. The fitness suite is brilliant. Its all brand new and up to date and has over 100 stations and its nice and cool to so you don't get too warm when your working them muscles! Outside they have a fantastic synthetic turf ground for 6 a side football which is popular with many people. Not only that but they have dance studios, squash courts, spas, saunas and a relaxation area!! It is amazing. If you are looking to get fit or just want to participate in salsa classes or boxercise, Copley Recreation Centre is an ideal place to start whilst not breaking the bank.

This is a fantastic gym the gym instructors are superb and the manager Jackie is fantastic and…read morealways willing to help where she can The facilities are very good,modern and well looked after,the swimming pool is great as are all the classes they offer I would recommend copley to anyone

I'll admit when I went to explore Barnford Hill Park, I was already mentally preparing a sneering…read moredismissal of a little bit of grass with the word 'park' tagged rather patronisingly onto it. Therefore I'm very pleased to write instead that Barnford Hill Park is a great place that I never even knew was on my doorstep! The place looks tiny from the road but is actually huge and boasts a cricket pitch, two playgrounds, a basketball court, some well-tended gardens and plenty of grass. Perhaps the best thing about the place however is the keep-fit equipment dotted along the paths. It's a bit like a free outdoor gym, with steel walkers, rowing machines, balance beams and various other equipment to help you get in shape. As I strolled round the Tuesday morning drizzle, I was amazed at how such a comparatively big place is so well secreted behind some houses. Next sunny day that comes along, I'll be down there with my bathing towel, book and gym headband.

Read about the 1953 Coronation Cup football tournament held at Barnford Hill Park in Alan Ahlberg's…read morebook 'The Boyhood of Burglar Bill' p37 onwards. Brilliant book about growing up in 1950s Oldbury.