Environment and planning
Parks and open spaces
Parks and open spaces - outdoor facilities
Welcome To Wirral
Central Park
In the early nineteenth century, Liscard Hall (then called Moor Heys House) and the surrounding parkland was home of Sir John Tobin, ship owner, merchant, African trader and one-time Mayor of Liverpool. On the death of his successor, son-in-law Harold Littledale in 1889, Wallasey Local Board bought the estate and opened it to the public on Whit Monday 1891. To this day Central Park continues to be an important and much used spot, something that is helped by a combination of the efforts of the Department of Education and Cultural Services and contributions from the local community.
Visitor Centre and Gardens
Central Park has three formal gardens; the two rose gardens behind Liscard Hall, and the Walled garden beside the Ranger’s Office at the end of the main drive. The Walled Garden was originally used for the production of vegetables and tender plants such as apricots, vines and peaches for the kitchens of Liscard Hall. After lying derelict for four years it was opened in 1985 as an ornamental garden, with a Visitors Centre, and access for the disabled. Local Groups and schools such as; Friends of the Earth, Wallasey Peace Group, Keep Britain Tidy League, Park and Saint Joseph’s Primary Schools, Wallasey Civic Society and the Rotary Club, have all made positive contributions to the garden - see the herb garden and plant beds for example.
Within the Walled Garden is the Visitor Centre where exhibitions, talks and slide shows are held. Garden tools and materials are available here for those who tend to the plant beds, while you can get sports equipment from the Ranger’s Office. The Friends of Central Park also use the centre to provide teas and biscuits for park visitors. Beyond the Camellia covered wall behind the Ranger’s Office is a ‘Laburnum Walk’ leading to Silverbeech Road. Stepping through the gate to the left of the walk brings you into the first rose garden whilst continuing along past some rare fig and walnut trees leads on to the nature ponds at Silverbeech Road.
Sport for All!
Alongside its extensive open areas and children’s playgrounds, Central Park caters for almost every major participants sport. Facilities are available for everything from soccer, to fishing, bowls, cricket and basketball. The Park Rangers also regularly organise children’s scavenger and treasure hunts. They hope to organise volleyball and cross-country events in the near future along with a football training grid.
Nature conservation
The nature ponds at the end of Laburnum Walk are home for many frogs, toads and snails, while the water and insects attract Grey and Pied Wagtails amongst other birds. Tree cover is provided mainly by Willow although there are Hawthorn and Beech as well.
Central Park lake is a popular haven for anglers. At the same time, Duck Island in the middle of the lake, is a favourite spot with Canada Geese, Mallard, Magpies and Moorhens from one season to the next. To encourage a wider understanding of nature’s place in the park, it is hoped to set up a children’s ‘WATCH’ group with organised pond dips and nature walks.
Central Park Volunteers
For the past few years like-minded people have been coming together to assist the Central Park Ranger in cleaning the Park's Main Lake. With many projects planned for Central Park over the next few years there should be plenty to do, so new-comers are always welcomed. The group meets at 10am on the first Saturday of every month either in the Walled Garden or by the Main Lake. For further information about how you can get involved in this and other community projects at Central Park contact the Ranger on 0151 691 1450.