Green Mersey
Can’t imagine relaxing in Liverpool city centre?
Take time out this weekend to discover some of Liverpool’s most beautiful green spaces located in the heart of the city.
As part of the city’s Year of the Environment, a fascinating and free ranger event – The Green Oasis – is taking place on Sunday (3 May).
Starting in Falkner Square the rangers will visit ten of the city’s hidden green gems and talk about the history surrounding each site and the key characters involved in creating and maintaining the areas.
The five-hour guided walk will stop at Mount Zion, the city’s first official public open space which was opened in 1766 and is regarded as one of Liverpool’s most mysterious locations. The tour will also take in the city’s newest public open space, Chavasse Park, which opened last year as part of the Liverpool One development.
Other highlights of the day include a visit to St. Johns Gardens where there are many statues and memorials dedicated to well-known and historic Liverpudlians, such as Father Nugent who looked after orphaned children and William Gladstone who was Prime Minister four times. St Nicholas’ Churchyard and Roscoe Gardens are also part of the tour.
Liverpool City Council’s executive member for the environment, Councillor Berni Turner, said: “I’m sure people would be shocked to find we have as many green spaces as we do in the city centre.
“Some of the gardens really are hidden gems and have some of the most fantastic views across the city. And of course they provide the perfect lunchtime retreat for workers or shoppers who need to relax and unwind.
“This is just one of hundreds of ranger events taking place across the city throughout the year and we’d like to encourage as many people as possible to take part and find out more about Liverpool’s green spaces in a fun way.”
The Green Oasis event runs from 10am to 3pm. Meet at Falkner Square, the main gates on Grove Street, and bring along a packed lunch.
Richie Baker, the Ranger leading Sunday’s group, said: “The event will be a lovely, gentle ramble around city centre to locations which people pass every day and don’t realise what fantastic green havens they are.
“We’ll talk about the history of the different areas, and bring it right up to date by discussing the redevelopment of the city centre and how this has affected some of the gardens.
“It should be a fantastic day and I hope as many people as possible take part.”
For more information about this event, or any other ranger event taking place log on to www.liverpool.gov.uk/parks or ring 0151 233 3007.
