Eastside City Park was opened in 2012 next to Millennium Point on a site near Curzon Street in Eastside. Curzon Street Station is close by on the corner of Curzon Street and New Canal Street. The Woodman pub is on the opposite corner. Part of the park used to be Albert Street. Eastside Green was an open field occasionally used for events, until HS2 took over the land to build the new High Speed Rail station.

Millennium Point at Eastside City Park (April 2021). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Millennium Point opened in 2001, there used to be a outdoor car park in front of the building until 2011. The development of the park also included the Thinktank Science Garden outside of Thinktank Birmingham Science Museum. Birmingham City University established their Eastside Campus close to the park, starting with the Parkside Building, which opened in 2013. Meanwhile The Curzon Building opened in 2015 on the corner of Cardigan Street and Curzon Street. The Emporium was completed in 2018 at the Christopher Wray Lighting site.

Eastside City Park from Cardigan Street (April 2021). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

History of Eastside City Park

Plans for the park started back in 2004. A request for funds in 2007 from the Big Lottery Fund was rejected, and Birmingham City Council ended up funding it. The park was developed by taking over part of what was Albert Street and the car park that used to be in front of Millennium Point. It was designed by Patel Taylor and Allain Provost. Work started on it during August 2011.

The closed car park outside Millennium Point (August 2011). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

By September 2011, Albert Street and part of Curzon Street had been fenced off, from Park Street.

Construction starts on Eastside City Park (September 2011). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Work on the park was still being done near the end of November 2012.

Finishing touches of Eastside City Park from Park Street (November 2012). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

The park was partially opened to the public from the 5th December 2012.

Eastside City Park (December 2012). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

The then leader of Birmingham City Council, Sir Albert Bore officially opened Eastside City Park during a ceremony on the 16th March 2013.

Eastside City Park opened by Sir Albert Bore (March 2013). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Eastside Green was developed as on open field, but always with a view that the land would end up going to HS2 for the building of the new High Speed Rail station at Curzon Street. A canal with water jets was built in front of Millennium Point and The Parkside Building, but in recent years it has been turned off, and got quite rusty. Another water jet fountain area is near The Woodman pub. Youths used to do skateboard tricks around here, but again this side of the park has been taken over by HS2.

The canal and water jets in Eastside City Park outside of Millennium Point (April 2013). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Winter in Eastside City Park

Eastside City Park towards The Woodman (December 2019). Photography by Daniel Sturley

 

Spring in Eastside City Park

Eastside City Park towards Jennens Court (April 2018). Photography by Mac McCreery

Summer in Eastside City Park

Return to Eastside City Park (July 2020). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Autumn in Eastside City Park

Sunrise over Eastside City Park as work continues to complete the park (November 2012). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Thinktank Science Garden

The Thinktank Science Garden was opened in December 2012, outside of Thinktank Birmingham Science Museum at Millennium Point. Fun, educational and interactive activities for kids and adults alike.

Thinktank Science Garden in Eastside City Park (December 2012). Photography by Elliott Brown

Go here for the post on the Thinktank Science Garden.

 

Thinktank Kids' Park

The Kids' Park opened at the end of 2012 in Eastside City Park outside of Millennium Point. It was for youngsters under the age of 7, to have somewhere fun to play, and learn about the world around them. The science of sound, light, touch and movement. It is free to enter.

Thinktank Kids' Park (December 2012). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Events in Eastside City Park

There has been a variety of events that have taken place at Eastside City Park over the years such as the following below:

 

The Big Hoot Birmingham 2015

For 10 weeks starting from July 2015, there was two of The Big Hoot painted owls in the park outside of Millennium Point (and near the Kids' Park).

Including The Big Hoot Owl. Designed by OWB. Painted by Glenn Anderson. Sponsor: OWB.

The Big Hoot (Designed by OWB. Painted by Glenn Anderson) at Eastside City Park (July 2015). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

After 10 weeks, a lot of the owls went on display during October 2015, for one last fairwell before being auctioned off for the Birmingham Children's Hospital Charity.

The Big Hoot farewell at Eastside City Park (October 2015). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Rugby World Cup 2015 Fan Zone

Eastside Green was used during September 2015 as a Fan Zone for the Rugby World Cup 2015 which was being held in England at the time. The best view was from a train going in or out of Birmingham New Street Station.

Rugby World Cup 2015 Fan Zone Eastside Green (September 2015). Photography by Elliott Brown

Go here for the Rugby World Cup post.

 

The Big Sleuth Birmingham 2017

This trail of painted bears was on for 10 weeks starting in July 2017. There was two Big Sleuth bears in Eastside City Park (plus a lot of smaller ones inside of Millennium Point).

Including Don't Worry, Bee Happy, by the artist Tom Wilson. It was sponsored Thinktank Birmingham Science Museum.

Don't Worry, Bee Happy (by Tom Wilson) at Eastside City Park (July 2017). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

After 10 weeks, there was a farewell event for The Big Sleuth in Eastside City Park during October 2017, before they were auctioned off for the Birmingham Children's Hospital Charity.

The Big Sleuth farewell at Eastside City Park (October 2017). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Ice Skate Birmingham

When Centenary Square was closed from 2017 to 2019, Ice Skate Birmingham was able to get permission to be based on Eastside Green during the Christmas seasons of 2017 and 2018, before returning to Centenary Square in 2019. The Coca Cola truck paid a visit in both years.

Coca Cola Truck and Ice Skate Birmingham in Eastside City Park (December 2017). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Coca Cola Truck and Ice Skate Birmingham in Eastside City Park (December 2018). Photography by Elliott Brown

Go here for the Coca Cola truck post.

 

Wild Mouse ride at Ice Skate Birmingham (December 2017). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

The ice rink at Ice Skate Birmingham in Eastside City Park (December 2018). Photography by Elliott Brown

Go here for the Ice Skate Birmingham in Eastside City Park post