Coronation Gardens is a small public park in the coastal town of West Kirby, on the north-west corner of the Wirral Peninsula. The park was built to commemorate the coronation of

George VI George VI (Albert Frederick Arthur George; 14 December 1895 – 6 February 1952) was King of the United Kingdom and the Dominions of the British Commonwealth from 11 December 1936 until Death and state funeral of George VI, his death in 1952. ...

and was restored during 2006–7. Coronation Gardens is located between Banks Road and South Parade. The park is one of several, in Wirral, to receive the

Green Flag Award The Green Flag Award is an international accreditation given to publicly accessible parks and open spaces, managed under licence from the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, a UK Government department, by Keep Britain Tidy, ...

History of the park

Coronation Gardens was built in 1938 at a cost of £10,000 and named to mark the

coronation of George VI The coronation of George VI and his wife, Elizabeth, as King and Queen of the United Kingdom and the Dominions of the British Commonwealth, and as Emperor and Empress of India took place at Westminster Abbey, London, on Wednesday 12 May 1937. ...

. The area occupied by the park had previously consisted of

sand dune A dune is a landform composed of wind- or water-driven sand. It typically takes the form of a mound, ridge, or hill. An area with dunes is called a dune system or a dune complex. A large dune complex is called a dune field, while broad, fl ...

s and soil had to be imported to create a medium for plants to grow. The design also included a wall to keep out the tide. The park was originally laid out with traditional ornamental flowerbeds and included a circular pathway and a cafe.

Park restoration and activities

The park was maintained by the local authority, but became neglected during the 1970s and '80s, with original flowerbeds and the circular path being removed to save on maintenance costs. Following public debate about the future of the park, Friends of Coronation Gardens was formed. Renovation took place in 2006-07 and the three-phase programme included a new entrance ramp and archway, relaying of the central path, new seating and maritime planting. A new wind vane sculpture of three wild geese was also installed, representing bird migration found on the surrounding

Dee Estuary The Dee Estuary ( cy, Aber Dyfrdwy) is a large estuary by means of which the River Dee flows into Liverpool Bay. The estuary starts near Shotton after a five-mile (8 km) 'canalised' section and the river soon swells to be several miles ...

. Coronation Gardens hosts a number of events during the year, including a summer Art in the Park exhibition and the Friends of Coronation Gardens Fair.

References

External sources

Friends of Coronation Gardens website
{{Parks and Commons in Wirral Borough Parks and commons in the Metropolitan Borough of Wirral 1938 establishments in England History of Merseyside