Yesterday, I spent an hour and a half in Burbury Park.
It was one of the warmest days of the year so far. As I entered the park, the sound of children playing carried across the space telling a story of laughter, movement and life already unfolding before I reached the activity.
I spotted the green and white “Welcome!” banner flapping in the breeze and headed over to join Birmingham’s Park Rangers Penny and Teresa who were already playing with children and their families. I was going to say working with families, but although it is their job – yes. The word work just doesn’t do the scene justice.
The task was simple. Using clothes pegs as makeshift beaks, the children carefully picked up small sticks, working together to build a bird’s nest. There was concentration, cooperation, a shared sense of purpose. Once complete, the large nest was lined with soft dandelion flowers a gentle, instinctive act of care for the eggs that were laid in their imaginations. There’s the magic again.
Then came the next creation. Willow sticks and ivy trails became bird feeders, sculptures, bug hotels. Each one was different, shaped by unrestricted creativity and hands-on exploration. I spent time with Sonia, a brilliant local “Green Champion”, as we worked together on her own design. Later, she proudly modelled it as April’s “must-have” fashion item a lovely moment of joy that brought everyone together.
There was movement.
There was laughter.
There was learning, but not in a way that needed to be named as such.
And there was trust, between children and adults and between people and place. Conversation and ideas flowed and wove us all together just like the ivy wove the willow into something useful and joyful.
Towards the end, we gathered for a game of Wild Pairs, a memory test with cards face down on the grass that brought everyone into a shared circle. Each turn brought words of consolation and support or cheers of success as pairs were found and so much laughter. The last pair was found and brought the session to a natural close.
Penny and Theresa were heading back to the Lickey Hills, but before they went they pointed out the new noticeboard in the park were future events will be advertised which includes a City Nature challenge – Bio Blitz spotting and identifying plants and animals in the park.
Different ages, different roles, all part of the same moment. It lasted just over an hour. In a small urban park. And yet, it held everything.
It was accessible: open, local, easy to join.
It was green: rooted in nature, materials, and place.
It was healthy: movement, fresh air, connection, calm.
It was involved: people participating, creating, contributing.
It was valued: through care, attention, and shared experience.
From the outside, it could look simple. But behind it sits collaboration, planning, relationships, funding and that word again – trust! The things that makes these small but powerful moments possible.
And on the day, what remains is something else entirely.
An hour in the park. And a reminder that when the conditions are right, everything can come together – naturally.
You can find out more about the Councils Ranger Service Wild at Heart – Healthy Parks Programme here: https://naturallybirmingham.org/out-and-about-with-birminghams-park-rangers/
Naturally Birmingham Future Parks Project 