Hazelwell Park

Hazelwell Park is a funny little park. It’s on a slope, which makes it frequently a bit water-​logged at the lower end. It’s also not actually all that little — it’s deceptively large. Part of the Rea Valley cycle route runs through it and it backs almost onto the Pershore Road, which makes it that nice mix of green space and inner city.
It never looks particularly neat or landscaped — however a good deal of thought seems to have gone into the children’s play area, which they seem to be continually developing — adding the occasional swing or climbing frame. Due to this, its relative peace and quiet and easy accessibility to the good folk of Stichley, it’s quite popular with locals with little ones in tow. Even though you always have to wear your wellies, almost year round.
Apart from the children’s play area the park consists of a large area of open space and the banks of the River Rea; which suggests something for everyone. It’s still a pretty well-​kept secret, as far as Birmingham parks are concerned.

This is one of the best parks in Brum to get up close and personal with the River Rea, which runs directly through it. During summer months the river bank is alive with nature and it’s a great spot to take the kids to pick wildflowers and mess about in the water.
Aside from the river bank it’s a fairly standard park. There is a pretty good children’s play area with swings and such that is well maintained and safe and there is a small football goal if you want a kickabout — although the sloping nature of the park, and the fact that there is only 1 goal means it isn’t great for a ‘proper’ game.
When this place comes into it’s own is during a winter snowfall, hence the 4 stars. At the rear of the park, just by the allotments, there is a BMX cycle track that has a fairly decent hill. This makes for an ideal sledging venue that gives a pretty decent run with a few bumps provided by the covered BMX track. Remember this place next time it snows!

Accessible from either Hazelwell Lane or Cartland Road, Hazelwell park is a small, but remarkably well formed park. Situated on a mild slope, bordered on the bottom edge by the river Rea and by allotments on one side, this park is quite an idyllic spot, and on a sunny afternoon it’s pretty easy to forget that you’re in central Birmingham. There’s plenty of well placed benches and a large amount of grass to sit on, as well as a small children’s play area featuring the usual swings and roundabouts.
It’s only real let down is that it’s fairly small. If you’re looking for somewhere to entertain the kids for an entire afternoon, this may not be the place. However, for shorter visits, or those just looking for a quiet spot to idle away some free time during pleasant weather this park is ideal. You can walk from here to Canon Hill Park in an almost unbroken two mile run of fields and trees, so walkers may want to consider it as part of a larger journey.