1,000 local residents attended the launch of a new one-acre park located at Port Loop, Birmingham a joint-venture development between Places for People and Urban Splash.
Rotton Park Street was transformed for the event, becoming a bustling area of play. Closed to cars all day it was divided into a range of playzones with fun activities including a bike, scooter and roller skate zone, Jump Rope UK’s Double Dutch Zone, a Hula Hoop Zone and Playbox dome building activities. Visitors also enjoyed street art, storytelling, live music, a craft tipi and a DIY drive-in cinema, as well as free water tours of the Port Loop island by barge. Local, independent traders provided food for guests on the day, including a free picnic for hundreds of children – each of whom was treated to free, healthy food.
More green space
The new park at Port Loop was delivered by Port Loop joint-venture partners Urban Splash and Places for People, alongside the charity, Canal & River Trust, and Birmingham City Council. They worked in collaboration with Birmingham-based Impact Hub, whose team organised the day.
Speaking on behalf of the joint venture partners, project director Adam Willetts, said: “We are absolutely thrilled with how the event went and everyone who came along to celebrate this addition to the neighbourhood here in Birmingham.
“Play Out ‘til Tea is one of our core principles at Port Loop, the site has been designed to encourage residents and locals to spend time playing outside and yesterday’s event delivered on that vision, welcoming a mix of people to engage in free and unbridled play. It’s incredibly exciting to see the neighbourhood starting to take shape.”
Bringing new life
Cllr John O’Shea, Cabinet Member for Street Scene and Parks was in attendance and said: “I was delighted to attend the event; it is wonderful to see more green space being created in Birmingham, not to mention a new neighbourhood which is bringing new life to this heritage-filled site.”
Councillor Albert Bore also came along on the day, he added: “I have had a long involvement in Port Loop and am delighted to see the makings of an exciting new community emerge. The event this weekend was the perfect celebration of what’s ahead.”