ITPAS - Friends of Wirral Country park

Friends of Wirral Country Park

A VERY SPECIAL PLACE

The Visitor Centre at Thurstaston Country Park

Wirral Country Park is a very special place that incorporates the Wirral Way, a linear Country park stretching 12 miles from West Kirby To Hooton. Once a Great Western rail link, in its heyday steam trains clattered along carrying both goods and passengers. The line closed to trains in 1960 and the land was left to nature. Fortunately, some people had enterprising ideas how the old railway line could be used, which led to the first Country Park in Great Britain being opened on 2nd October 1973.

Children can cycle freely on the newly made traffic free path

The park is regularly enjoyed by walkers, joggers, cyclists and pony riders and recent improvements have greatly enhanced the stretch from West Kirby to Thurstaston, with a much improved surface and user friendly signage. See our separate article on the improvements by clicking here. The Park is also a finishing point for Wirrals biggest fundraising event The Wirral Coastal Walk.

Walkers finishing the Wirral Coastal Walk at the old station, Thurstaston

Whilst the section from West Kirby to Parkgate is under the responsibility of Wirral Borough Council, the Park has close guardians in the form of its Rangers and a newly formed 'Friends' group. The Friends is still in its infancy, but is Chaired by a very enthusiastic Sandy Cameron, a regular user of the park, who intends to push forward some very promising improvements, but without any spoiling of this beautiful area.

The Friends group works in close liaison with the Rangers and WBC and is currently researching funding projects to help improve the Thurstaston to Parkgate sections of the path, the Bridlepath and its biggest project a refurbishment or rebuilding of the very popular Visitor Centre at Thurstaston, which can attract over 5000 visitors in any weekend!

An Ariel view of the Visitor Centre at Thurstaston

A consultation document has been drawn up. This does not necessarily mean that this will be the final plan, this has been intended that an 'independent' can highlight problems and make suggestions. This in turn leads to a better idea of costing and of course how much money could realistically be raised for such a project. Click here for more information.

Anyone who knows the Country Park will appreciate its value to the area. This is why the Friends group is so important. ITPAS have linked in to this group and we hope to be able to influence the way forward. However, the more individuals who are members, the more we can have a say on how the Park develops. As in all these instances, its no good waiting until things have happened, then complaining! We encourage ITPAS members and indeed any visitors to this website who have an interest, to become members of FoWCP. Like ITPAS, your membership can be passive, or you can get involved in regular events or even attend committee meetings! The rates are:-

	Individual membership £3.50/year
	Family membership £4.50/year

If you are interested, click here to send an email. Tell us your name and address and we will send you more information. Please help this productive and positive group by joining.

**Also see our article on 'Tinkers Dell'