Bleak Hill Park Explained

Bleak Hill Park
Type:	Public park
Location:	Erdington, Birmingham, UK
Area:	31.5acres
Operator:	Birmingham City Council
Map:	West Midlands

Bleak Hill Park (formerly known as Short Heath Recreational Ground) is a public park in Erdington, Birmingham, UK. It is identified by Birmingham City Council as a "green corridor".^[1]

History

The park is named after the topographical name of the nearby area; referring to either "bleak hills" or "black hills". Like the origin of Blakesley Hall in Yardley,^[2] three Old English words could provide the root of the word "Bleak"  - one meaning "black", one meaning "to shine", and one meaning "shining, pale, or bleak".^[3]

The area was first recorded as Blakhilles in 1461.

Renovation

In 2008, the park underwent a £100,000 transformation to remove graffiti and litter and to install sports pitches.^[4]

Notes and References

1. Web site: Erdington Ward Open Space Plan. 12 May 2005. Leisure and Tourism. Birmingham City Council. 26 February 2010.
2. Web site: Bleak Hill/s. Dargue. William. 13 September 2008. A History of Birmingham Places and Placenames. 26 February 2010.
3. Web site: Blakesley Hall. Dargue. William. 13 September 2008. A History of Birmingham Places and Placenames. 26 February 2010.
4. News: In the Bleak Midwinter, Motorbike Made Moan . Young. Graham. 29 February 2008. Birmingham Mail. Trinity Mirror. 26 February 2010.