ARTISTIC shields have been revealed to mark the centenary of Malvern Park.
Veolia and Solihull Council have joined forces to celebrate the park’s 100-year anniversary, which Veolia looks after through ground maintenance works.
A total of 16 artistic shields have been unveiled on the park’s gates as part of an art installation that will extend throughout the park.
The shields have been designed by young people who the Council supports, who were invited to two workshops run by Veolia and the Love Solihull Parks team.
The budding artists were asked to design original artwork to reflect their favourite thing about nature in an abstract and vibrant way.
Of the designs, 100 were selected by Councillor Karen Grinsell, leader of Solihull Council, which have been transferred onto shields.
The first 16 were prominently displayed on Malvern Park’s gates, with each shield representing a year of the park’s verdant history.
A further 84 shields are set to be installed throughout the park on trees, flowerbeds, and on benches and in Touchwood, the Core, and libraries throughout the borough.
Coun Grinsell said: “Parks and open spaces are vital to our physical and mental health, and we are fortunate to have a number of flourishing, green spaces here in Solihull. Malvern Park is a great example of that.
“I would like to thank these talented youngsters for their creative designs which will be a terrific addition for the park’s centenary year. I know residents and young children will enjoy spotting them.”
Sue Cummine, senior contract manager at Veolia Solihull, said: “Engaging the borough’s young people and celebrating the importance of the parks we maintain in a creative way has been a fantastic way to spread the message of environmental awareness to the next generation.”
The creative engagement forms part of a year-long campaign to celebrate the centenary park, which will align with national initiatives such as Love Parks Week and awareness days including World Environment Day and Biodiversity Day.
