Brinton Park officially opened after £2.9 million restoration

Celebrations filled Brinton Park on Saturday 31 October as one of Kidderminster’s best-loved green spaces was officially opened following its £2.9 million restoration.

Residents, community groups and project partners came together to mark the completion of the major heritage-led transformation, alongside members of the Brinton family, whose ancestors gifted the park to the town.

The occasion was marked by an official ribbon-cutting ceremony led by the Chairman of Wyre Forest District Council, Councillor George Connolly.

Alongside investment from The National Lottery Heritage Fund and Wyre Forest District Council, the restoration has revitalised significant historic features while enhancing the park for modern-day use.

The project has included the reinstatement of the ornamental pool and bridge, restoration and repair of historic structures and pathways, improvements to entrances and accessibility, new planting and landscaping, interpretation boards celebrating the park's heritage, and the creation of a new community pavilion and café on the site of the former Sons of Rest building. Visitors were able to get a taste of the new café, which will open to the public on Monday 23 November.

Councillor Tracey Onslow, Cabinet Member for Culture, Leisure, Arts and Community Safety at Wyre Forest District Council, said:

"The opening marks a really proud moment for Wyre Forest and everyone who has supported this project. Brinton Park is one of our most important heritage assets, and this £2.9 million investment has restored many of the historic features that people cherish, while creating new opportunities for recreation, learning and community activity.

"The park has been transformed in a way that respects its history and ensures it remains a vibrant, welcoming place for future generations. We are extremely grateful to National Lottery players, The National Lottery Heritage Fund and the National Lottery Community Fund whose support has been instrumental in making this project possible."

Councillor George Connolly, the Chairman of Wyre Forest District Council, who carried out the official ribbon-cutting ceremony, said:

"It has been an honour to officially open the restored Brinton Park. This park has been at the heart of community life for well over a century and means so much to generations of local residents.

"Seeing these historic features carefully restored and brought back to life is wonderful. I hope people of all ages will continue to enjoy this beautiful park, creating new memories here for many years to come."

Liz Bates, Director, England, Midlands & East at the National Lottery Heritage Fund, said:

“It’s fantastic to see that Brinton Park is now officially reopened after the extensive renovation work. The Heritage Fund’s investment of more than £2 million has made possible the reinstatement of the park’s ornamental pool and bridge, extensive landscaping improvements, heritage conservation works, and enhanced accessibility around the grounds. Our thanks go to National Lottery players whose funding makes projects like this possible, opening up access so that members of the community can enjoy these historic green spaces.”

McPhillips director Stuart Mackenzie said:

“We have demolished the former Sons of Rest building, which was beyond refurbishment, and built a new all-purpose cafe and community facility, along with newly refurbished public toilets and a Changing Places unit for disabled use. 

"It’s been great to work alongside Wyre Forest District Council, and the finished article combines the park’s rich history and modernised it to deliver a valuable community asset.” 

The restoration project builds on the vision of local philanthropist John Brinton, who gifted the land for the park to the people of Kidderminster. Nearly 140 years later, the newly restored park continues to provide a place where residents can meet, relax, play, learn and enjoy nature in the heart of the town.

Thanks to this significant investment, Brinton Park is now better equipped than ever to serve the community for generations to come, while preserving the heritage that has made it a much-loved destination.

For more information about Brinton Park, visit www.brintonpark.com. Follow the story on Facebook @brintonparkHF.