Town’s future blossoms
NINE years ago, this is how King’s Gardens and South Marine Gardens in Southport looked.
One of the resort’s most beautiful Victoria era creations had become a mess.
Sefton Council recognised that that area had “suffered from vandalism resulting in harm to original features”.
Today the area is the focal point for tens of millions of pounds in new investment - and this is where it all started.
Back then though, as workers toiled away, high hedges around the perimeter obscured the park, putting many people off venturing inside.
Vandalism and anti-social behaviour was frequent with the Victorian shelters around the lake often smashed or covered in graffiti.
These pictures of work in progress were taken in February 2014.
Later that year, in September 2014, the beautiful new-look park was officially opened by Princess Alexandra, more than 100 years after her grandparents King George V and Queen Mary first opened the park which surrounds the Marine Lake in Southport.
The changes were warmly welcomed and have made a huge improvement to the area.
South Marine Gardens and the Marine Lake, both opened in 1887, and King’s Gardens, opened in 1913, were all developed on reclaimed former foreshore in Southport.
These sites are part of a series of seafront leisure facilities.
The gardens are a hive of activity all year round and are a busy tourist attraction on the Southport seafront.
The £5.5 million investment was made through the Heritage Lottery Fund and Sefton Council as part of the ‘Parks for People Programme.’
This prestigious scheme was the largest single investment in parks by the Heritage Lottery Fund in the North West.
Over the previous five years Sefton Council worked closely with the community and visitors to develop this predominantly community-led scheme.
The gardens were restored to their former glory with Victorian shelters and the Venetian Bridge showcasing the beauty of the park.
The gardens sprung to life with an array of colourful flower beds and displays.
The new adventure playground was an extremely popular addition!
The facilities were well-maintained by Green Sefton and volunteers from the Friends of Kings Gardens, who organised popular events such as the outdoor cinema.
The facilities in the park included the award-winning vintage King’s Gardens Tea Rooms, the Southport Pleasureland Miniature Railway, the Southport Model Railway Village, the Marine Lake Cafe and lots of boating activities on the Marine Lake.
It was a proud sight and a scene of celebration for Princess Alexandra, who was welcomed to Southport by crowds, dignitaries and children.
The princess was delighted to unveil the new water fountain and a plaque marking the occasion, to a countdown and cheers from the crowds who were watching in the sunshine.
Today you can look out and admire the view across the park from vantage points such as the seating outside Silcock’s Pier Family Restaurant, or from one of the pods in the Big Wheel Southport.
It’s an impressive sight.
The Sefton Council leader at the time, Peter Dowd, said back then: “I think it has been a fantastic day, the whole thing has been perfectly played, from the weather to the process of Her Royal Highness being here, even right through to turning on the fountain - and the gardens are looking brilliant.”
Southport MP at the time, John Pugh, said: “It has been a great day of