Award Win For Greener Neighbourhoods
Optima Community Association and Birmingham City Council have won a prestigious national award celebrating their work to create a “greener” neighbourhood in central Birmingham.
The Neighbourhood Awards praises the partnership behind the creation of two city centre parks that sit at the heart of the newly regenerated Attwood Green estate.
Work began in 2004 to replace the once unpopular park area which lacked even basic play equipment for local children.
Working in partnership with developer Crest Nicholson, two new four acre parks have been created with well equipped play areas for all ages and a range of impressive features including an amphitheatre for outdoor events.
The parks also feature the Sky Mirror, an artwork with integral water feature, which when drained, forms the heart of the outdoor events area.
Simon Kimberely said: “We are extremely proud to have won. Residents tell us how much they love the new parks and that having such high quality facilities on their doorstep has contributed to making Attwood Green a great place to live in.”
The parks are the venue for regular events organised by Optima Community Association from summer play schemes to family fundays.
The park attracted national attention in 2006 when it’s park keeper, Fredy Tematema, was runner up in the 2006 search for Britain’s Best Parky.
The Neighbourhood Awards are organised by the National Housing Federation as part of its iN business for neighbourhoods programme, which raises the profile and improves the performance of housing associations. 300 entries were submitted to the Awards this year from housing associations throughout the country.
Last updated: 23-09-2008
