INTRODUCTION

As part of the development of a 25-year City of Nature Plan, Birmingham City Council reached out to its diverse local communities and asked peopl​e to tell their stories about their favourite parks and green spaces. 

They were asked to share their memories, from childhood to adulthood, about how they connected with nature in these open spaces and how visits to these fantastic facilities have helped to shape them. 

This website presents many of the stories that were submitted throughout the project. You’ll be able to read, listen to and watch videos of their personal accounts submitted as part of the Earth Stories project. There will also be the option to find out more about the places they refer to by clicking on the links contained in the stories. 

We thank everyone who took part and hope you enjoy their inspirational stories. 

Memories &
Experiences

My Earth Story - Protect

Landscape Architect Rupi made this evocative video based around treasured memories of her growing engagement with the natural world and her later environmental concerns.

More Memories... 

My place is Pype Hayes

Pype Hayes park is there all year round but come comes alive once a year for Bonfire Night, people come from all over Birmingham to watch the display. 

Greeted by friendly stewards at the parks entrance you can smell the fire blazing with a hint of hotdogs and burgers cooking and popcorn popping! Our local park transformed into a winter wonderland with something for teenagers, families, children and more. 

Acres of land decorated with lights, stalls and rides. As the sun sets a ginormous Bonfire blazes high, flickering high into the sky lays the backdrop for the stage show and DJ spinning crowd favourites before the infamous annual countdown: 10, 9, 8, 7... 3 ,2, 1 and the skies are ablaze! – My favourite time of the evening – red, yellow, and green fireworks shoot across the sky! Blues, oranges and white lights fly, audiences cheer and clap as the music and pyrotechnics tell stories in the air. 

Continue reading...