Princes Park pride
THE historic importance of one of Liverpool’s parks has been recognised nationally.
Princes Park has been upgraded from a Grade 2 Historic Park to a Grade II* by English Heritage.
The park, based in the south of the city, has been given the impressive accolade for four reasons:
It is the first major park created by the eminent designer Joseph Paxton.
The park inspired other designers and elements of Princes Park can be seen in urban parks throughout the country.
The original look of the park is still intact.
It is an important example of civic planning and is a wonderful example of a green haven in a city setting.
Princes Park joins just two other 2* Historic Parks in Liverpool – Sefton Park and St James Cemetery Gardens.
Liverpool City Council’s executive member for the environment, Councillor Berni Turner, said: “I’m so delighted Princes Park has been given the recognition it deserves.
“It really is a historical gem in the city and it’s fitting that the park has been upgraded in Liverpool’s Year of the Environment.
“I would like to thank all those who have been instrumental in the up-grading of the park, including the Friends’ Group, local councillors and all the city council and Glendale-Liverpool Ltd staff who look after the park and make it such an attractive place to relax and unwind in.”
Liverpool has a rich heritage of historic parks and green spaces from the Victorian era, with seven others on the Grade 2 list. They are:
Croxteth Country Park
Stanley Park
Newsham Park
Wavertree Botanic Park
Anfield Cemetery
Toxteth Park Cemetery
Allerton Cemetery
Nick Bridgland, part of the heritage protection team at English Heritage, said: “Princes Park is a key work of the highly influential landscape designer, Joseph Paxton.
“This was his first public park commission and helped establish him as an important and influential figure in the public parks movement. It definitely deserves registration at grade II*.”
