Mary Stevens Park was opened to the public in 1931 in Stourbridge, now in the Metropolitan Borough of Dudley. It was given to the people of Stourbridge by the local industrialist and philanthropist Ernest Stevens, in honour of his wife Mary.
Map, history and notice board near the car park at Mary Stevens Park (July 2019). Photography by Elliott Brown
The park is located between Norton Road and Worcester Street in Stourbridge. Surrounded by Heath Lane, Love Lane and Stanley Road.
The park has a Play Area, Bandstand, a War Memorial and a lake called the Heath Pool.
Play Area with water jets at Mary Stevens Park (July 2019). Photography by Elliott Brown
History of Mary Stevens Park
The land was donated by Ernest Stevens in 1929 to the town of Stourbridge to develop as a park in memory of his late wife Mary Stevens. He bought the estate of Studley Court, which had previously been used to house the nuns of St Andrew's Convent. It would be named Mary Stevens Park and it opened to the public in 1931.
The main entrance gates near the Worcester Street roundabout were built between 1929 and 1930, and were given to Stourbridge by the donor of the park Ernest Stevens.
The main entrance gates at Mary Stevens Park (July 2019). Photography by Elliott Brown
Stourbridge Council House
The Stourbridge Council House is located within the park. It was used during WW1 as Studley Court Hospital. It was originally called Heath House. The first reference to the site dates back to 1691. There was a variety of owners of the estate during the 19th Century. It became the offices of Stourbridge District Council during the 1930s. The Council used it until Stourbridge was merged with Dudley to form Dudley Metropolitan Borough Council in 1974 (based in Dudley Town Centre). Since then Dudley MBC have used the hall for a variety of Council departments.
Stourbridge Council House from the gardens at Mary Stevens Park (July 2019). Photography by Elliott Brown
Bandstand at Mary Stevens Park
The Bandstand was probably installed in the park during the early 1930s. Used for musical or theatrical performances over the decades. Or by kids playing and having fun in the summer!
Bandstand at Mary Stevens Park (July 2019). Photography by Elliott Brown
War Memorial at Mary Stevens Park
The War Memorial was originally placed outside of the Stourbridge Public Library in 1923, in memory of those who fell in WW1. It was designed by Ernest Pickford and unveiled by the Earl of Coventry on 16 February 1923. It was later moved to it's current position in Mary Stevens Park in the 1960's.
War Memorial at Mary Stevens Park (July 2019). Photography by Elliott Brown
Heath Pool at Mary Stevens Park
A pleasant lake to walk around with a fountain in the middle. The lake attracts a variety of geese and ducks to the pool.
Heath Pool at Mary Stevens Park (July 2019). Photography by Elliott Brown
Statue of Major Frank Foley
This statue was unveiled in 2018 by HRH Prince William, The Duke of Cambridge. In memory of Major Frank Foley who lived in a quiet retirement near this park in the 1930s. But during WW2, he helped over 10,000 Jewish people escape the Holocaust, whilst working as British Passport Control Officer in Berlin. The bronze statue bench was placed in the gardens outside of the Stourbridge Council House, and was sculped by Andy De Comyn.
Statue of Major Frank Foley at Mary Stevens Park (July 2019). Photography by Elliott Brown