Park Life
There's always something happening in a park near you. Whether there's improvements being made, activities being held or maybe our parks have received some recognition we can all be proud of. Bookmark this page to find out the latest news from Birmingham Parks.
New look for the Birmingham Nature Centre!
Recent renovations to the Birmingham Nature Centre shop and reception area were completed in June 2012 and the Museum building is now re-open to the public.
The new reception area is spacious and light and is equipped with large screens displaying the latest information about the Centre's latest animals and activities. It has beautiful new wooden benches, hand crafted by our Assistant Manager Colin Parker, for patrons to sit and relax.
The shop has a new, improved layout and is fully stocked with a variety of toys and gifts to suit all ages and tastes. All of this is complimented by the surrounding array of plants and two giraffes that stand proudly next to the ‘Animal Sponsorship Tree’, giving a real feeling of bringing the outside in.
To add to the new look, visitors are also greeted on arrival by newer members of the Reception team, Information Assistants Charlotte and Zoe, Ranger Support Officer Danielle and existing member of the team Neil.
The staff have commented “Customers are so surprised about the new look and we receive nothing but praise about how much the building has improved!!”
Comments from the staff are mirrored in feedback received by customers themselves:
"The new shop is great "
"The gift shop was one of the most enjoyable parts of our visit"
"The Nature Centre is clean and reinvigorated- losing it’s dated image"
"The Visitor Centre is much improved"
"Enjoyed the new look of the Nature Centre"
For the latest information on the centre and it's animals please follow this link
Confirmation of presence of important species in Sutton Park NNR
On 24th July 2012, around dusk, a small group of Sutton Hub Rangers ventured out to try to get their first sightings of glow worms. An anecdotal report had been received in late 2011 and the timing and weather was right to go searching. As the evening sky darkened, the hunt was on. Figures in the long grass with hunched backs and staring eyes waited. Then the first glow was suddenly detected and everyone involved rushed to the scene. Then another was spotted and another, disbelief and relief flowed in equal measure, it was a spectacle to behold. In total that evening five females were spotted attempting to attract males. Unfortunately we saw no males that evening.
The records were passed on to the UK Glow worm survey who informed us that Sutton Park is a special place due to the lack of sightings locally. Further monitoring will take place and the site will be maintained to ensure there is no loss of this important species.
For more information about Sutton Park and our Ranger Service please follow this link