| There are some compensations for living here. Liverpool is just across the water by the ferry (minus the monks) or via a tunnel if you drive! - and is home of the Liverpool Philharmionic Orchestra, The Anglican Cathedral (one of the largest in the world), the Catholic Cathedral (known locally as Paddy's Wigwam - if you see it you'll understand why), the Albert Dock (big touristy place) and a number of theatres and other places of interest.
But on the Wirral side, Birkenhead boasts its most famous landmark, the Birkenhead Park. |
| Famous? Mais Oui mon amis!
If you live in New York you just might recognise the style of the layout. Yes - it's true, Birkenhead Park was the inspiration behind Central Park!
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| Designed by Joseph Paxton and opened on April 5th 1847, it was the first municipal park in the country. In the early 1850's, one of the visitors to the park was, F.L. Olmsted. He was so impressed that he wrote home to America, "I am ready to admit in democratic America there is nothing as comparable with this peoples' garden." Olmsted later became the famous designer of New York's Central Park, which incorporated many of the features found in Birkenhead Park, even to this day. |
| If you've been paying attention, you will have worked out that 1997 saw the 150th Anniversary of the opening of the park. Celebrations marked this event but there didn't seem to be quite the enthusiasm as was shown in 1847, which was a shame. Perhaps it's all to do with taking parks and green spaces for granted? |
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