When the Queensway Tunnel was dug beneath the river, the subsequent rubbish pulled from the ground…read morewas dumped and landscaped into what is now Otterspool Prom. Here you can do everything there is to possibly do on a riverside promenade; things such as walk, ride a bike, look at the water and...um...well that's about it. I suppose you could rollerblade if you wanted. If it's a warm day and you don't mind the style your hair will be sculpted into by the blustering gales, you can follow the prom and its interconnecting paths right up to the Pier Head. If you don't fancy that, try and unearth the ruins of the 1984 Garden Festival, which lies hidden by tree trunks and weeds. You don't know how overtly creepy something is until you accidentally stumble across a kid's overgrown swing park. I still have nightmares.

What a spectacular view. Did you ever see such a coastline? Especially when the waves are choppy…read moreand the wind blustery. I absolutely love the promenade; walking along beside the river with the breathtaking view of the Welsh hills in the background is really relaxing, there's lots of cyclists and dog-walkers around and it's a lovely environment on a clear sunny day. The park which was renovated through the 'Pride in our Proms' project is Amazing. It's a mini world of Big Kid heaven... for me anyway I regressed about 10 years and was on the swings, seesaw and monkey bars, and when we'd totally worn ourselves out running around and taking cool scenic pictures of the sunset we went for a well earned pint from the Otterspool pub which is handily a hop skip and a cartwheel across the park. Go fly a kite, see the sights, play on the park and grab a pint!

Balls Wood is the hidden gem of Maghull for those who love parks and the great outdoors in general…read more You could walk right by this park and not notice it--in fact I did at first. Through this camouflaged archway lies a hidden little patch of green. If you long for green and trees and fresh air as much as I do, this is a great place to walk, sit, breath, and drink in the natural world around you. I was taken aback, actually, because it reminded me a little bit of the fields across the road from my grandparents' old stone house back in the USA. As you walk through the arch you have trees on both sides of the mown grass, and you have to walk quite a ways before you come to the open clearing. Apparently this patch of land is home to a bit of wildlife as well so if you're lucky and you time it right, you might spot some cunning and adorable critters.

You could walk around Sefton Park every day for a century and not see it in the same way twice. I…read moredon't know what would be so special about that 36,501st day but that'd be the one you get bored on. A mighty, verdant wonderland of precise landscape design, the park has everything- a lake, a cricket club, a cafe, tennis courts, an obelisk, a grotto, a dingly dell, a palm house, a nature reserve, an iron bridge, a swing park, a bowling green, fountains and a bandstand. Once upon a time, there was also an aviary, an open-air theatre and even a freaking pirate ship. Nowadays it plays host to the jangly joy of the Africa Oyé festival, as well as whatever circus has thundered into town from across the eastern horizon. Opened in 1872 by Prince Arthur (Queen Victoria's son) who dedicated it "for the health and enjoyment of the townspeople", the park received a vital face-lift in 2009. The lake was cleaned, sloppy grass banks were resculpted, signposts erected, statues polished and view-blocking trees were sliced down, somehow making the vast park seem even more open and welcoming. Oh yeah, I forgot ducks off that list before. It has ducks. Ooh and grass.

Wow, on a sunny day people sure do know how to kick back and relax! The best place to do this in…read moreliverpool has to be Sefton Park. Out of the city and into the countryside, or so it would seem! Big open fields, winding tree-lined paths, a boating lake (not that I've ever seen a boat on there), greenery galore. The Palm House is beautiful and having seen it in the midst of a deep snowy winter and it's reflective crystal maze esque glory of summer, it's always amazing. Today, we were strolling around the lake and there wasn't just one swan or two, but a whole family with their little cute baby signets just catchin' the sun on the path and people were just sitting watching them, almost cooing in appreciation at them they were so gorgeous. The park has also opened up a little cafe that serves yum stuff like rum and raisin and mint choc chip (my fave!) icecreams, coffees teas and lollies etc from a little glass pod on the edge of the lake, the seating outside gives a great view of the park to enjoy your surroundings and relax! So pack a picnic or a barbie, throw down a tartan rug and soak up the sun in one of the most mesmerising parks in the world! (Well, in our lovely little Liverpool bubble anyway!)

There are many Fairy Glens in the country and this is a beautiful example. Basically it just a…read moresmall woods surrounding a stream but there is a lovely wood walk there and in the spring the bluebells are stunning, If you listen very hard you may even hear the Fairies playing in the woods. Just down the road from Parbold Hill and the Wiggin Tree easy to get to and a nice walk for the dog.

This public park on Woolton Road is one with a very misleading name. Firstly, it sounds like Alton…read moreTowers. Secondly, it's not really near Allerton Road. Thirdly, it isn't dominated by a cloud-impregnating series of jagged towers, as I was hoping when I first came here as a wee nipper. This name in fact comes from the opulent Victorian mansion that once stood on the grounds before dry rot forced it to be torn down in the thirties. Nowadays, the park is scattered with remnants of the estate- the lodge, stables, former laundry and part of the orangery still stand. Also, England's best climbing tree is still here from my childhood although when I found it the other day I got tired just looking at it. Tree- One, Dave- Nil.

Walton Hall Park is not the biggest of parks in Liverpool but large enough to say the least! On a…read moresunny day, it is a wonderful place to spend the day with family and friends. If you fancy a picnic, there is plenty of open field space where you can't be noticed or noticed if you wish. The park has one main lake and a smaller pond where you can enjoy fishing or feeding ducks, swans or geese. Having said it is a great day to spend on a sunny day, it is also a great day to spend on a snowy day; back in January's snow flurry, the park had a magnificent white display with lakes turning into an ice rink. The place was beautiful to walk through but naturally hazardous for children and animals. Occasions like this are rare but when the opportunity arises, I would recommend a visit whether sunny or snowy!

I used to live fairly close to this park. It's pretty good sized, and provides a nice place to…read morewalk, play with your dog, take the kids for a picnic, etc. There's a paved track that runs all around the grassy area. I'm not sure how long the track is--possibly a fourth of a mile. Around the edges there are some trees that provide nice shade in the summer months. All in all a clean and pleasant park. :)

This is a lovely park, and one that I certainly had no idea was here until I stumbled upon it…read morewhilst walking in to Kirkby town centre. It's a good piece of green with a paved walking/biking trail, and a fair bit of wild brush, trees, and general natural growth still flourishing around the edges. It would make a nice place for a quiet picnic or to sit and read a book on a mild summer day.

Stanley Park, situated between Liverpool's two football clubs: Liverpool and Everton, is huge-over…read more100acres-and so beautiful. During the recent regeneration of the park ,over 50 species of trees and shrubs were planted to provide year-round colour, paths were resurfaced, the Victorian pavilions and bandstand resurrected and the magnificent Gladstone Conservatory salvaged and restored. As well as this the children's play area was revived and lighting and security systems installed. The outcome is fantastic and provides yet another glorious park space for the people of Liverpool to escape the chaos of city life and just relax

Being a Liverpudlian, its suprising that I had never actually visited Stanley Park before. This…read morepark does not look much from the outside when you're viewing from the main road at its enclosed gates. However, upon first impression I caught a glimpse of the park's beauty almost instantly. There is plenty of trees and foliage around that provides a cool shade, plus many benches for you to take a rest bite. Moreover, I was delighted to see the lake inhabited by many species of birds and ducks. On the other hand, it was failry clear that the lake was infested with litter and appeared filthy with murk. Incredible how wildlife lives there. On the more positive side, there are beautiful overhead walking bridges that take you from the Everton side of the lake (Yaay!) to the Liverpool side (Booo!). Further down the park is a glass house called Isla Gladstone Conservatory and a children's playing area with several obstacles to keep the kids occupied. The Conservatory (as Tina has already mentioned) has been revived and always worth a visit whilst you're at the park. Stanley Park is a pleasant getaway from the busy traffic that surrounds. It has many lovely features that you shouldn't miss.

I don't know why I'm only just reviewing Victoria Park; it's on of my favourite public spaces in…read morethe area. This park is always much quieter than Coronation Park not far from here, I think the play area is smaller and the bowling green dominates a substantial plot atractnig a different sort of folk! I tend not to use the park as a faciilty in itself these days, I don't play tennis or bowls, or have a dog and I think I'm a little big to go on the swings, I usually detour through the park en route somewhere; it's such a lovely space, always so fresh and green; it's well tended to with large flower beds and stretching grassed areas. The shaded pathways through overhanging trees are so attractive. Recently more park benches and picnic tables were installed and the play area has recently undergone renovation. Nature talks and conservation days are often held here as are community events such as the recent stargazer event, the teddy bear's picnic and the firework displays on bonfire night. Shows are

One of our favourite Bolton parks -- small but perfectly formed, as they say. There's an excellent…read morechildren's playground: the Council have recently spent a huge amount of money updating the swings, slides and so on and it's been money well spent. Our kids (aged 3 and 5) love going there and letting off some steam. Apart from the playground there's a bowling green and plenty of grass to play football/cricket/whatever -- although to be honest that's about it. It's just over the road from a local secondary school so it may be best avoided at certain times of the week, but during the holidays and at weekends it's a good place to visit.