Kingsbury Water Park facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Kingsbury Water Park |
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Kingsbury Water Park
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Type | Country park |
Location | Kingsbury Warwickshire |
Area | 600 acres (2.4 km2) |
Created | 24 May 1975 |
Operated by | Warwickshire County Council |
Open | All year |
Kingsbury Water Park is a cool country park in north Warwickshire, England. It's not far from Birmingham and sits right by the River Tame. This park is owned and looked after by Warwickshire County Council. It has fifteen lakes spread across more than 600 acres of beautiful countryside. It's famous for its amazing birdlife, so many people who love birds come here. The park is also next to the Birmingham and Fazeley Canal.
Park History
The land where Kingsbury Water Park now stands used to be a place for digging up gravel. Large machines would dig out gravel from the ground. The big holes left behind after the gravel was removed slowly filled with water. This is how the park's many lakes were formed.
Kingsbury Water Park first opened its doors on 24 May 1975. Back then, it had only two lakes and covered 123 acres. Over the years, the park has grown a lot. By 2011, it had expanded to fifteen lakes and covered over 600 acres.
In its first year, about 50,000 people visited the park. By 2007, this number had grown to 350,000 visitors each year! In June 2007, the park had to close for a short time. This was because of very heavy rain and flooding. Luckily, the park reopened once the water went down.
Fun Things to Do
Kingsbury Water Park has lots of ways to explore. You can find many paths for walking, cycling, and even horse riding. There are also many exciting water sports you can try. These include water skiing, jetskiing, power boating, sailing, and even model boat racing.
One of the most popular attractions is the Echills Wood Railway. This is a miniature railway with a track that is 7¼ inches wide. It's run by people who love trains. They hope to make the track even longer, about 2 kilometers. You can ride on different types of trains, including steam, diesel, and electric ones.
If you love birds, you're in luck! In November 2011, a new bird hide was built by Warwickshire County Council. This special spot lets birdwatchers quietly observe birds in their natural home. The old bird hide had been damaged in 2010, so a new one was a great addition.
Twelve of the park's lakes are perfect for fishing. You can enjoy different types of coarse angling here.
Events and Runs
Every Saturday morning, the park hosts a free 5-kilometer run. This event is organized by Parkrun. The very first Kingsbury Water Parkrun happened on 20 July 2013. It had 143 runners that day. The biggest Parkrun at Kingsbury was on 1 January 2019. A huge 792 runners came to celebrate New Year's Day with a run!
For Kids and Families
Kingsbury Water Park is a fantastic place for families and kids of all ages. Broomey Croft Children's Farm is a fun spot to visit. It has many different animals and a great play park.
All around the park, you'll find several play areas. There are also lots of perfect spots for a picnic with your family and friends. If you get hungry or thirsty, there are also cafés where you can grab a snack. The park also has a place where you can rent bicycles. Plus, there's a helpful visitor center and a shop.