“Further enhancements”?

Posters have started springing up around Perry Park inviting people to public consultation drop-in events to discuss “further enhancements” to Perry Park.

We’ll look forward to finding out what the Council officers (or their consultants) have designed - and we encourage everyone to attend at Alexander Stadium on Monday 26th June (or Sunday 2nd July).

But every picture tells a story.

And the one above has a lot to say.

“Further enhancements” is an interesting choice of words when the majority of public open space at Perry Park remains fenced off over 10 months on from the Commonwealth Games.

It’s also striking that the new poster is right next to one put up in February announcing that “reinstatement works” were due to start.

Those were the reinstatement works which the now former Leader of Birmingham City Council had told us in a letter in April were “underway”.

But are they?

The tarmac transport mall is still in situ.

The drainage pits and soil mounds are untouched.

The pristine field in the northwest of the park remains fenced off.

Sadly, the Council officers responsible could have prioritised restoring the park so that kids can play safely, dogs can be exercised, and everyone can enjoy a bit of green space - but they’ve announced a consultation on “further enhancements” which somebody’s been designing in the background while the majority of the park is fenced off with significant works not even started.

“Further enhancements” could be amazing, there’s lots of ways the park could be improved.

And we have a lot of information about things the local community would like to see because we’ve received hundreds and hundreds of responses to our survey.

But neither the Council officers responsible nor their consultants have spoken with us.

They haven’t even discussed their proposals with the local ward councillors who represent the whole community.

So, what do the Council officers think the response is likely to be on 26th June - grateful enthusiasm when we’re shown enchanting artist’s impressions of how the park could look with “further enhancements” - or utter disappointment that the officers’ priorities and messaging could be so completely at odds with the needs of the community?

Let’s find out.

We hope to see you there on 26th June.