Mary Stevens Park,Stourbridge
History
Bought by Ernest Stevens in an auction at The Talbot Hotel in July 1929, he presented the park to Stourbridge Council later that same year. During the 1920's the park had been a school. The park was opened by Ernest Stevens on 6th April 1931 and named after his late wife, Mary, who had died in 1925. There are various constraints upon the park due to the nature of the Trust set up to look after the bequest, one of these prohibiting the playing of ball games upon a Sunday.
This Park also has connections to royalty. Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh visited the park on the 23rd April 1957 and drove down the main drive - hence the naming of Queen's Drive. To commemorate the visit a stone trough has been placed at the top of the drive. The park has finely decorated, ornate, wrought iron gates at the main entrance, these are grade two listed and a predominant visual feature.
Description
The park is 11ha. and has extensive recreational facilities, including basketball, tennis, golf and bowls along with many areas of managed flower beds and grass over it's sweeping landscape. The park has large areas of open flat grass, ideal for team games, along with smaller shaded and un-shaded areas perfect for picnics and leisure activities. A large lake and water feature is a predominant focus within the park. Stourbridge Model Boat Club have a permit for using the lake, otherwise there is no boating or fishing is allowed. The park offers a selection of managed pathways, making walking an optimal choice, for all individuals within the community.
Facilities
Tennis courts x 3
Crown green bowls-charges apply
Toilets including disabled facility
Cricket Strip-charges apply
Children’s Play Area
Basketball court
Picnic Benches
Formal bedding displays
Large areas of flat managed grass
Croquet charges apply
Golf Putting charges apply
Water feature, where children can play safely
Managed path ways
Park Keeper
Car Park
There are no ball games allowed in the park on a Sunday due to the Covenant by which the Park was donated to the people of the Borough.
Friends of Mary Stevens Park
Mary Stevens Park has an active Friends Group
Friends of Mary Stevens Park. The group was formally established when members of the local community volunteered to start discussions on ways of improving and regenerating the park to its full potential and encourage increased public use. The group are always recruiting new members, to assist with future plans and events. If you require more details, please contact the
Liveability Team.
© 2005 - 2009 Dudley Metropolitan Borough Council, Council House, Priory Road, Dudley, West Midlands, DY1 1HF