Sunday evening walk around Shirley Park on the 7th June 2020

On the evening of Sunday 7th June 2020 we went to Shirley in Solihull for a walk around Shirley Park and some of the surrounding roads such as Haslucks Green Road and Hurdis Road. Heading back into the park, found a field that led to a secret wooded walk. Also in the former putting green was daisies and carnations. Due to the pandemic the playground and dog agility area were both closed.

Most days of lockdown, not been going out that much. And some weekends at home all day. We went in the car down to Shirley, parking on the Stratford Road (before the lay-bys were closed off), and had another walk around Shirley Park after 7pm in the evening. This was on the evening of Sunday 7th June 2020 (3 weeks ago at the time of writing this).

My previous Shirley Park post is here: Shirley Park over the years off the Stratford Road in Shirley.

 

Entering the main entrance on the Stratford Road in Shirley saw this War Memorial bench. It was part of the Fields in Trust commemorative war memorial benches, that have been placed all over the country marking the Centenary of the First World War (The Great War 1914-18). (during 2014-18).

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Not far from Shirley Parkgate was another War Memorial bench. This one commemorating those lost during the Second World War (1939-45). There is also a war memorial here.

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Looking to the Shirley Park Play Area / playground. Closed during lockdown / the pandemic. But saw a pair sitting on the swings.

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Near a bench heading to the Haslucks Green Road exit / entrance was this hopscotch board on the path. Probably drawn in chalk.

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Walked down Haslucks Green Road and re-entered the park from the Hurdis Road entrance / exit.

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Cyclists going past the Welcome to Shirley Park noticeboard.

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Turned right into this former football field. There was markings on the grass that showed that something used to be here. Also the edges of the field were raised up for some reason or other.

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This view was after briefly going down the secret wooded path. The main footpath in the park can be seen near that line of trees.

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The former football field had paths going into the wood, so we checked it out. Never been round this part before.

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It is part of a Wetland Walk. Trees cover the walk, while the path seemed to be covered in leaves and wood chippings.

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The path wasn't very long. Normally my Shirley Park walks would take me back into the park via Grenville Road.

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Near the end of the wooded walk, there is a barrier up ahead.

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Looking back into the former football field where the exit to the secret path was.

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A close up look at the Dog Agility Area while it is closed during the lockdown. Dogs can go up the ramp and jump through the hoop.

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Dog owners could sit on a bench. But instead with it closed, dog owners have to walk their dog around the park. It seems like they keep taking them off the leash a lot. Plus they bark a lot if another dog goes past (or a human they are not familiar with). I prefer cats.

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Final section through the former putting green. Now a wildflower meadow. Saw this Common Starling on the grass.

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The Wildflower Meadow had a lot of daisies and carnations. Which looked nice.

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Close up look at some daisies.

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Close up look at the carnations.

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On the way out near ALDI, saw this bin with the message: "If the bin is full, take your litter home. Think First!".

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Love Solihull and the Friends of Shirley Park.

 

Photos taken by Elliott Brown.

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