Gardens back to best
campaigned vehemently for urgent funding and for gardening staff to be restored.
They have also called for vital infrastructure work to be carried out.
They submitted a plea for support into the Southport Town Deal process last year, but were unsuccessful.
Sefton Council is now pursuing other streams of funding.
The investment cannot come soon enough for an incredible group of volunteers who deserve their day in the sun, sitting back and enjoying the park’s delights instead of being outdoors toiling in all weathers.
David Cobham said: “We all agreed to become volunteers and to help the council to maintain the park a decade ago.
“Rather than sit around and moan about what was happening, we thought let’s do all we can to keep it going, until they can afford to put some money back into it again.
“We all love the Botanic Gardens. None of us wanted to see it fall into disrepair.
“Since then, the Gardens have lost more staff, and more work has fallen on our shoulders.
“The volunteers have been managing the flower beds, the aviary, the fernery, the toilets, and much more.
“We have been working here now for 10 years, since austerity came in.
“Ann and I are 78 now! We have been here a very long time.
“We have a real vested interest in 10 years of our time in seeing what happens next.
“They say it could take three or four years for all this to happen. We are very keen for them to get going.
“We were disappointed not to get some money through the Southport Town Deal. Just 1% of the £38.5million they received would have done a lot, maybe allowing us to repair the bridges or to have the lake cleaned out, just like Hesketh Park was.
“We also want to see aerating water features to improve the lake.
“We feel the lake and it’s infrastructure is urgent for attention for health, safety and visitor attraction reasons.
“A lot needs doing with drainage at the park too. The pathways are crumbling.
“Another big one is what to do with the old Botanic Gardens Museum building.
“One idea over the years was to restore it to becoming a museum again - people really miss it - that celebrates a lot of things about Southport’s history.
“I know there is a museum at The Atkinson now, but that looks at the history of Sefton as a whole and includes exhibits from places like Bootle and Aintree.
“We thought maybe the building could become a North Meols Victorian Heritage Centre, where people could learn all about the history of this area, with places such as Churchtown, Marshside, Crossens and Banks, and to create a visitor centre for the park.
“But lots more is needed, some to bring sustainable income in which has been stated.
“The volunteers will help in every way we can to bring this on.
“We have been campaigning over 10 years for the much needed renovation and restoration of our great Botanic Gardens.”
In his report to councillors, Sefton Council’s Head of Locality Services wrote: “There is significant potential in the Botanic Gardens site for investment to repurpose buildings and facilities to provide improved visitor attractions and facilities and generate income to help the park become self-sustaining.
“The long-term vision for the park is to restore Botanic Gardens into a high-quality tourist destination attraction for Southport.”
To support the work of the Botanic Gardens Community Association, please visit: botanicgardensca.org. uk Shine a spotlight on Southport, Merseyside by becoming an Area Ambassador.