It is one of city’s lesser known gems
There aren’t many city’s able to boast a bigger selection of breathtakingly beautiful parks than Liverpool. With every region spoilt for choice you don’t have to walk far to find a tranquil spot to relax and unwind.
Merseyside’s most famous parks have rightly earned the popularity they receive. Sefton Park will always be a favourite among Scousers, with caves, statues, fairy glens, boating lakes and a magnificent Palm House. Another of the region’s most loved parks is Birkenhead Park with its rich history of being the first park created for the benefit of residents. This green space is also said to be the inspiration behind Central Park in New York.
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Although I do appreciate the countless parks we are blessed to have across the city, I will always have a soft spot for one of the lesser known parks. Derby Park nestled in the heart of Bootle is only a small park but has been an important part of the local community for many years.
Approaching Derby Park’s entrance you may find the exterior somewhat intimidating with huge iron gates and towering stone pillars guarding it. But don’t be fooled, what’s inside is a peaceful paradise. With its Victorian architecture and Grade II listed status, Derby Park is a beautiful 22 acre plot of land with many nods to its heritage still standing across the grounds.
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One of its monuments is a bandstand that has stood since the late 1800s. The octagon shaped feature has a bell shaped roof and looks strikingly beautiful from every angle.
Another monument still standing tall is the Poulsom memorial statue. Unveiled in 1906, the statue commemorates the lives of William and Mary Poulsom, who worked ‘tirelessly and selflessly for the less fortunate people of Bootle’, William Poulsom was elected Mayor of Bootle in 1880. A plaque in the park reads he and his wife were ”proud of Bootle and actively involved in schemes that improved the welfare of the working people.”
Aside from the fascinating history of the park, it is the many winding paths in this park leading to different spots from a huge play area to more serene areas that make this my favourite spot. it is a park that attracts all types of people and is an excellent spot for dog walkers with several green areas throughout.
Perhaps my favourite aspect of Derby Park is how community driven it is. I am in a Facebook group called ‘Friends of Derby Park’ which has nearly 2,000 members. In this group people discuss community events taking place in the park and share pictures they have taken on their visit. Volunteers help maintain the grounds with cleaning and plant growing one of the topics the group discuss regularly.
When you wander around the north Liverpool park you may notice quirky creations that have been done by the community. These include tree stumps painted with bright colours and grass roofs to look like tiny fairy homes. You will spot some wildlife throughout the park if you look hard enough – mainly grey squirrels.
Admittedly, I am biased as I live five minutes away from the park but I do think it is one of Bootle’s gems. I will never pass by the opportunity to take a stroll through and you can take it all in within an hour. I am not taking anything away from our bigger parks and think they all deserve the recognition they have gained but as far as relaxing park visits go I am yet to find one that makes me feel more at ease than Derby Park.
