The new look Mary Stevens Park will be officially unveiled on Friday 10th June with an event fit for the Queen.

The Stourbridge park will be officially revealed after undergoing an exciting £3.1m programme of improvements.  

The Mayor of Dudley, Cllr Mohammed Hanif, will recreate the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh’s 1957 visit, with a drive through the park in a vintage car and a ribbon and cake cutting at the band stand. 

The unveiling will mark a weekend of royal themed events with the Royal Market and Food Fair running from 2pm on Friday until 5pm on Sunday, with live music and market stalls. 

A dog show will be taking place on Saturday from 1pm which is free to enter. Categories will include waggiest tail, best biscuit catcher, best child handler and fancy dress. Participants can register in the park on the day between 12 and 1pm.

Funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) and the Big Lottery Fund has enabled major restoration work to be undertaken including work to the park gates, war memorial, bandstand and Heath pool as well as the creation of a new cafe and toilet facilities. Cllr Hilary Bills, cabinet member for environmental services, said: 

“I’m delighted that the park is to be fully open again in time for people to enjoy during the summer. The park is looking absolutely fantastic and I hope people will enjoy the new facilities. 

 “I would like to thank all the park users for being so patient while the improvement work was being undertaken.”   

A grant of £2.6m has come from lottery funding and the total project cost is £3.1m. A heritage ranger has been appointed to deliver a programme of activities at the park.