About the project

Brinton Park is undergoing a major restoration to bring its historic features back to life and improve facilities for everyone. The project will enhance the park’s heritage, boost biodiversity, and create new spaces for learning, leisure, and volunteering.

This has been made possible with a joint investment of £2.9 million – including £2.4 million from The National Lottery Heritage Fund and The National Lottery Community Fund. Although plans have changed slightly due to legal delays and rising costs since 2019, the updated project still meets its original aims and remains within budget.

What’s coming to Brinton Park?

We are creating a new welcoming community space (see artist's impression), complete with a new café and terrace overlooking a newly designed ornamental pond (see artist's impression), as the beloved Sons of Rest Pavilion is being rebuilt. The pond, located on the site of the former paddling pool, will use a borehole water supply and is designed to support more local wildlife.

Other eco-friendly improvements include woodland management, new bat boxes, and vibrant landscaping with flower beds and shrubs to boost biodiversity. Access to the park will also be enhanced, with better traffic flow at the main entrance and a refurbished toilet block for visitors’ convenience.

Why was Brinton Park (rather than any of the other parks in Wyre Forest) selected to be the focus of the major investment from the National Lottery Heritage Fund?

Brinton Park was chosen through a special initiative called the Parks for People Programme, which was jointly funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund (now the National Lottery Heritage Fund) and the Big Lottery Fund (now the National Lottery Community Fund). It was a competitive process, and Brinton Park was selected because the council submitted a strong application that ticked all the right boxes and met the key funding criteria.

The £2.4 million investment from the National Lottery Heritage Fund was pledged in 2019. Why has the work been delayed to 2025?

A few unexpected challenges have caused delays. The biggest factor was the COVID-19 pandemic, which affected projects across the country. Once work was able to start, it was discovered that a family of badgers had made a home under the Sons of Rest building. Following expert advice, a careful and time-sensitive process was put in place to relocate them safely. Protecting wildlife takes time, and we’ve made sure everything has been done properly and responsibly.

Does Wyre Forest District Council already have the £2.4 million investment money from the National Lottery Heritage Fund in its bank account?

No. The funding doesn’t arrive all at once. Like many large grants, the money is released in stages – usually every quarter – and only after work has been completed and reviewed. The council submits claims based on actual costs, and the funders carry out checks to make sure everything matches up with the original plans before releasing the next payment.

Will there be opportunities for members of the public and community groups to get involved in future activities to preserve and support the park?

Definitely! A new Community Engagement Officer will be joining the team later in 2025 to help create and run a two-year programme full of events, activities, and volunteering opportunities. The new café inside the Sons of Rest Pavilion will also include a community room – a flexible space for all kinds of local events.
We’re also working closely with our contractor, McPhillips, to involve local schools and colleges during the improvement works – with activities like site visits and bulb planting. We’d love for everyone to get involved, so be sure to follow the Brinton Park website and Facebook page for updates and ways to take part!

Will the park still be managed by Wyre Forest District Council when the local authority reorganisation takes place?

At the moment, we don’t know exactly what the future management arrangements will be following the reorganisation of local authorities. However, we’re confident that whoever takes on responsibility for Brinton Park will be building on a fantastic foundation – one that includes major investment, strong community involvement, and a commitment to preserving the park’s natural beauty. Our goal is to make sure that all the good work continues, so that Brinton Park remains a special place for everyone to enjoy.