Birkenhead park is well known in the wirral but many may not know its origins and why it is actually a very important site in Englands history.
The park began being built in 1843 when the Birkenhead commissioners were given money to purchase a large area of land and Joseph Paxton began to design it.
The park was then opened in 1847 on the 5th of April by Lord Morpeth as a public park to be enjoyed by the community of Birkenhead town- meaning it was opened over 175 years ago.
What makes this park so interesting, however, is the context in which it was built. Birkenhead Park was the first publicly funded park to be built in England that was for the use of all people.
During this time period, majority of owned land in England was used for agriculture or reserved for the higher classes for entertainment with sports such as golf.
This park though had its gates open to people of any class, gender, age, etc for no fee to allow the majority of the people to enjoy themselves.
The impacts it had on England and the rest of the world
It became a forerunner of the Public Parks Movement which saw an era of more publicly funded parks with the purpose of being made for the people.
It was so famous that Olmsted actually based Central Park, New York City, on inspirations he got during his visit to Birkenhead Park
The park is still a major part of the local community as it is a popular dog walking spot and holds 5km runs every Saturday morning.
"its a great place to go for a walk.' Dan, a local community member who frequents the park when asked about the uses of the park for local people.
