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Project - Birkenhead Park, Grade I Client - Wirral Metropolitan Borough Council |
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Designed by Joseph Paxton, and opened in 1847, Birkenhead Park was one of the first public parks laid out in Britain - indeed, in the World. The landscape represented a vision of a new urban future, where beauty, nature, education and space for leisure, exercise and entertainment would be available to working people. The principles established by its design influenced that of other parks throughout Europe and North America, including that devised by Frederick Law Olmsted for New York's Central Park. It is the only public park designated as Grade I on the English Heritage Register of Parks and Gardens of Special Historic Interest.
The Restoration and Management Plan for Birkenhead Park was undertaken by Hilary Taylor and colleagues in 1999. In 2000, the Heritage Lottery Fund awarded a substantial grant to restore the Park. HTLA is now leading the team on the implementation of this exciting major project. Restoration work has already been carried out to significant buildings and structures, such as the Grand Lodge, Boat House and Swiss Bridge, and the railings and ornamental gates around the Park. The carefully researched colour palette devised by HTLA, employed in the restoration of the Swiss Bridge, as well as for railings and site furniture, has since influenced the approach |
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used on the restoration of other parks.
The design of new elements, such as lake edges, fishing pegs, a jetty, bridges across the Lakes and ornamental planting, have further enhanced the quality of the environment in the Park. Paths and drives have been comprehensively refurbished, and almost one hundred new benches installed, which along with other work have considerably improved access for all within the Park. The new Park Pavilion was officially opened by the Duke of Gloucester, and the Park was featured on a special parks edition of BBC's Gardeners' World in 2007.
To visit the Birkenhead Park website, click here. |
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