Selly Oak Park, Birmingham - A wonderful open space!

Selly Oak Park is situated in Selly Oak, Birmingham between Gibbins Road and Harborne Lane.


Selly Oak Park is located in Selly Oak between Gibbins Road and Harborne Lane.

Selly Oak Park

Selly Oak Park (June 2012). Photography by Elliott Brown

It is now close to the Selly Oak Bypass (Aston Webb Boulevard).

Selly Oak Park

Lawn mowing at Selly Oak Park (June 2012). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

The park has a Children's Play Area and an Outdoor Gym.

Selly Oak Park

Play Area and Outdoor Gym at Selly Oak Park (March 2018). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

The Lapal Canal (Dudley No 2 Canal) is to the north and north eastern end of the park. The Lapal Canal Trust have been working for years to restore it

Lapal Canal Selly Oak Park

Lapal Canal at Selly Oak Park (January 2017). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

History of Selly Oak Park

It was developed under the Kings Norton and Northfield Urban District Council. Land was donated in February 1899 by members of the Gibbins family. The park was opened in April 1899 on Easter Monday. In 1911 the park was taken over by Birmingham City Council when Selly Oak became part of the city. More land was donated over the years. In 1913 and 1919 by the owners of the Birmingham Battery and Metal Company (also Gibbins family members), in 1935 to give access to the Weoley Park Farm Estate. More land in 1950 by the Birmingham Battery & Metal Company (again). In 1958 some land was transferred to the City’s Public Works Committee. More recent land donations in 1980 and 1982. The shelter built in 1899, the bandstand built in 1908 and the Daughters of Rest Pavilion built in 1953 have all since been demolished. The stump from the "Selly Oak", a large oak tree on Oak Tree Lane was situated in the park after it was felled in 1909.

Selly Oak Park (May 2020). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Graham Jones wooden carvings

The park is maintained by The Friends of Selly Oak Park. You can find carved wooden sculptures around the park, by Graham Jones.

Selly Oak Park bench by Graham Jones.

Selly Oak Park bench (May 2020). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Welcome to Selly Oak Park by Graham Jones.

Welcome to Selly Oak Park (January 2017). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Deer or kangeroo wooden sculpture by Graham Jones

Selly Oak Park (January 2017). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

University of Birmingham

It is close to the University of Birmingham.

Old Joe from Gibbins Road near Selly Oak Park.

Old Joe from Gibbins Road near Selly Oak Park (May 2020). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Project dates

08 Aug 2019 - On-going

Passions

Environment & green action

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Contact

Your Place Your Space

Jonathan Bostock

0121 410 5520
jonathan.bostock@ yourplaceyourspace.com

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Green open spaces
10 Dec 2020 - Elliott Brown
Gallery

Selly Oak Park: the gem of a park off the Selly Oak Bypass

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Selly Oak Park is located on Harborne Lane in Selly Oak. Sections of the Lapal Canal goes through the north east corner of the park (still to be fully restored). The Selly Oak Bypass (Aston Webb Boulevard) opened in 2011 and the Selly Oak Shopping Park in 2018. They are now building a new section of the bypass near the former Sainsbury's site at Selly Oak Triangle. Also on Gibbins Rd.

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Selly Oak Park: the gem of a park off the Selly Oak Bypass





Selly Oak Park is located on Harborne Lane in Selly Oak. Sections of the Lapal Canal goes through the north east corner of the park (still to be fully restored). The Selly Oak Bypass (Aston Webb Boulevard) opened in 2011 and the Selly Oak Shopping Park in 2018. They are now building a new section of the bypass near the former Sainsbury's site at Selly Oak Triangle. Also on Gibbins Rd.


Selly Oak Park

This park is located on Harborne Lane and Gibbins Road in Selly Oak. It was developed under the Kings Norton and Northfield Urban District Council. Land was donated in February 1899 by members of the Gibbins family. The park was opened in April 1899 on Easter Monday. In 1911 the park was taken over by Birmingham City Council when Selly Oak became part of the city. More land was donated over the years. In 1913 and 1919 by the owners of the Birmingham Battery and Metal Company (also Gibbins family members), in 1935 to give access to the Weoley Park Farm Estate. More land in 1950 by the Birmingham Battery & Metal Company (again). In 1958 some land was transferred to the City’s Public Works Committee. More recent land donations in 1980 and 1982.

The shelter built in 1899, the bandstand built in 1908 and the Daughters of Rest Pavilion built in 1953 have all since been demolished.

The park is now maintained by The Friends of Selly Oak Park. That includes all the wooden sculptures found around the park.

2012

My first walk around Selly Oak Park was during June 2012, testing out my then new camera (which I had until about December 2015). I probably entered from Harborne Lane and headed up the main path.

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One of the main squirrels in the park, with a nut.

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Saw this red wind funnel thing. There is similar funnels in other nearby parks.

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A council lawnmower going around the park cutting the grass.

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The trees were so lush and green in the summer, the path curving round to the right.

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Another squirrel behind a tree.

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Two paths amongst the trees.

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Distant view of the red funnel.

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2017

The next visit to Selly Oak Park was during January 2017. The Friends of Selly Oak Park had commissioned all of these new wooden sculptures which were worth checking out. On this side it says Lapal.

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To the side Welcome. So probably "Welcome to Selly Oak Park". This is near Gibbins Road.

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A carved wooden bench. In memory of Geoff Bartlett, Founder of Friends of Selly Oak Park.

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Part of the playground. A climbing frame, and a ride along a rope with a tyre (I think).

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Another wooden sculpture. Of deer or a kangeroo (probably a deer and it's cub).

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A new Welcome to Selly Oak Park sign. It's near the car park off Harborne Lane and close to the corner with Gibbins Road.

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2018

This visit during March 2018. View of the new outdoor gym.

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Daffodils alongside a path.

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Selly Oak Park Play Area. One of the many Birmingham City Council elephant signs that you would find in this and other City parks. Behind was a slide.

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Daffodils around a tree.

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Daffodils and crocuses. From here I headed up Gibbins Road towards Lodge Hill Cemetery. Weoley Castle is also nearby.

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Happy New Year 2020. More park posts to come during 2020.

 

Photos taken by Elliott Brown.

Follow me on Twitter here ellrbrown.

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Green open spaces
05 Jun 2020 - Elliott Brown
Gallery

Selly Oak Park on the Late May Bank Holiday Monday

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It's been quite warm for quite a while now, and not popping out much on lockdown other than the odd walk. On the Late May Bank Holiday Monday we headed to Selly Oak Park for a walk towards Weoley Castle and back. The grass has been cut here in stripes for social distancing. Went in the morning before it would get too hot. Even found a path along the former route of the Lapal Canal.

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Selly Oak Park on the Late May Bank Holiday Monday





It's been quite warm for quite a while now, and not popping out much on lockdown other than the odd walk. On the Late May Bank Holiday Monday we headed to Selly Oak Park for a walk towards Weoley Castle and back. The grass has been cut here in stripes for social distancing. Went in the morning before it would get too hot. Even found a path along the former route of the Lapal Canal.


On the 25th May 2020 sometime after 10am in the morning, we started this Late May Bank Holiday Monday walk around Selly Oak Park from Gibbins Road. Was the first time back in Selly Oak in well over 2 months.

The first thing I saw this time was the back of this sculpted wooden bench simply saying Selly Oak Park.

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The bench was made in 2011 probably by the local wood sculptor artist Graham Jones. Sadly there was some litter under the bench, including what looks like a bottle?

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Already I could see that the grass had been cut into stripes for social distancing.

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The sky was a perfect blue, not a cloud in the sky. It hasn't rained all month.

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The striped grass was more visible here, with the longer grass not looking as dry as the cut grass.

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The playground was closed, although I'm not sure if the tape was broken as a man was inside (not sure if he was a park cleaner or not?). Please stay out of play areas until they are safe enough to reopen again.

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Also out of use during lockdown was this tyre slide ride thing.

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More cut striped grass for social distancing.

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The trees were lush and green, paths leading in different directions.

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More social distancing striped grass.

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And more, with this young tree.

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After checking out the Lapal Canal site again, found this grass path around the side towards the exit we would take to Weoley Castle.

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Not many people around at this time of the morning other than the odd walker or runner. Best to get there when it's early and not too hot.

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One last look before we took the wooded path to Weoley Castle.

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Later coming back from Weoley Castle past the gatehouse.

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It was built in 1899 as the park keepers lodge.

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There was a bit of thick grass near Gibbins Road, but also some cut grass. What wonderful weather we have been having, but we need some rain!

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More Birmingham park posts coming soon, so watch this space!

Expect posts from:

  • Old Yardley Park
  • The Vale Village
  • Summerfield Park
  • Daisy Farm Park
  • Cofton Park

Photos taken by Elliott Brown.

Follow me on Twitter here ellrbrown. Thanks for all the followers.

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