In Birmingham city, the local park that many families love and enjoy, Cannon Hill park has engrossed many others with the fascinating history of it’s park. With just 250 acres, 25 acres of it in Cannon Hill park had been donated over to the Birmingham council on the 18th of April 1873. Miss Louisa Rylands, who inherited the land from her father Samuel Ryland, had made a major impact to the people of Birmingham being a philanthropist helping many others. 

Louisa Ryland was a well-educated and wealthy woman growing up in Warwick with tutors. Her family made their fortune in the silver industry becoming millionaires and owning many pieces of land. The land which is now part of Cannon Hill park was one of the patches Louisa inherited after the passing of her father. 

Louisa Ryland had no children and never married. After her choice of marriage was declined by her father due to the young man Louisa picked being poor, she chose to never marry in her life and continued to help those in need. The death of Louisa’s father meant that she inherited the money of her father and having no one to pass it onto she wholeheartedly bestowed it upon the people of Birmingham who were very grateful by the touching gesture made by Louisa. 

Although she is not much spoken about now, the gesticulation made by her across Birmingham will never go unnoticed. Miss Ryland’s had made a huge impact on the growing city of Birmingham; paying for the handiwork done in Small Heath park not going unnoticed by the The Queen when she visited, grounds and a house was also donated in Sparkhill to the Birmingham’s women’s hospital to use as a in-patient depart 

Cannon Hill park is appreciated by many local citizens to this day and is a big part in many people’s lives. Noreen Hussain, a mother of five four of which are already adults said “ I took my kids there whilst they were young in the summer creating long-lasting memories that I look back on now and smile” she then added being there brought a sense of calmness to her life whilst looking after five young kids. The impact of this park is unbelievable to many citizens of Birmingham and it is all down to Louisa. 

The kindness, compassion and the driving desire to help people that Louisa had warmed many townspeople’s heart. The land she left for the families of Birmingham will always be used and will always touch the hearts of the citizens of Birmingham. 

The park that many people love is here to stay and become the light and joy helping many other families make many jovial memories for many years to come. Louisa Ryland is a quintessential role model for many others and her giving nature inspires many lives. The opening of this park is all thanks to the late Louisa Ryland (1814-1889) who will never be forgotten.