We met at St Michael’s Station for today’s walk round Sefton Park. It was a bright sunny day and we made our way along the bustling Lark Lane where the pavement cafés and restaurants were already busy. We crossed into Sefton Park, where the perimeter path took us round its edge. The obelisk at the main park entrance is a memorial to Samuel Smith, a Liverpool cotton trader, a social reformer, MP and philanthropist. The Prevention of Cruelty to Children Act of 1889 included reforms he had advocated. In memory of his son, the Gordon Smith Institute for Seamen was built in Paradise Street, Liverpool. The obelisk was completed in 1909. with drinking fountains on two sides. Further on we came to Caroline’s Tree. Caroline Elliott, a student at Liverpool University, was killed while jogging through the park by a hit and run driver. Her parents visit the site on each anniversary of her death to place flowers. Many more flowers and tributes have been left by family and friends, but some have been left by total strangers moved to pay tribute to her. We stopped at the River Jordan to hear about its history from Brian. The Upper Brook rose in Wavertree and flows through Sefton Park and Otterspool Park into the Mersey. It was named by Puritan residents of the area along with Jericho Lane and a rock called David’s Throne. We passed the Palm House and crossed the Iron Bridge. Brian told the legend of the courting couple who arranged to meet there and elope, only for the girl to die the day before. The boy “saw” her ghost and it “appears” on each Valentine’s Day anniversary. Further on we saw the Fairy Glen and the surrounding trees are now adorned with decorations and mementos to deceased relatives. After crossing some stepping stones, we made our way to the park’s lake and round to the lower reaches of the River Jordan, a floating ecosystem, more stepping stones, a water fountain, the Bandstand and eventually the Café by the Eros (actually Anteros) statue. We sat outside for our drinks/snack break and enjoyed the sunshine. A short walk to Lark Lane and we were back at St Michael’s for our train home.
Thanks to Brian and Brenda for organising, recce-ing and leading the walk. Also thanks to Brian for all the interesting facts and history.