Wirral is this week
hosting the World Urban Parks European
Congress as part of its celebrations for the 170th anniversary of the opening
of Birkenhead Park in 1847.
Birkenhead Park was
designed by Joseph Paxton and is internationally significant as one of the
World’s first municipally funded public parks.
Its concept and
layout inspired the parks movement for years to come. It influenced the design
of Central Park in New York.
Keynote speaker for
the congress, which ends on October 19, is Douglas Blonksy, President & CEO
of Central Park, New York.
This year's congress
theme Landscapes Alive: Community, Sustainability and Heritage
will explore key issues around the crucial role of parks for towns and
cities; the challenge of sustainability; and a celebration of the rich
heritage parks create within communities.
The main congress
will take place at the Floral
Pavilion Theatre and Conference Centre, New Brighton, Wirral with pre
and post congress tours to areas around the North West region of England
including Liverpool and Manchester.
