We met with a group from Saltley Adult Learning Centre for a day in February, planting ten large trees on Alexander Way Open Public Green Space. The centre neighbours the site, meaning that the group had valuable, informed insights into what the space could look like.

In co-designing the planting plan for the park, the group’s decisions were discussed during a previous exploratory workshop, considering how trees might enhance and improve both the design and the social life of the park. On the tree-planting day, we collectively recapped the species we would be planting and the reasons for choosing them and their locations.

Judas Redbud, Sophora Japonica and a Celtis australis now help to soften and hide the factory bordering the park, adding beauty while also reducing noise pollution.

Ginkgo biloba, Koelreuteria paniculata, and a few more Sophora Japonica now offer gentle shade for picnickers in the summer, whilst making sure not to block off views into the park.

The group were brilliant, working super hard and getting 4 trees in the ground together in the 1.5 hours we had together, which is impressive in the sometimes challenging Birmingham soil.

More recently, the group have been busy designing signs for the trees which talk of their involvement in the planting. The group are keen to take on ongoing care of the trees in this park almost touching their site.

We’ve loved working with the group and seeing their vision for Alexander Way Open Green Space come to life. We are looking forward to connecting in the spring to co-host tree care activity, and hopefully a picnic too!⁠
We were also very happy to be joined by Nasreen, community connector and life long resident of Alum Rock, whose been a key partner and friend of the project last year and this year, supporting introductions and being an advocate throughout – Thank you Nasreen!