Dock Branch Neighbourhood Community Panel

City: Liverpool

Project: Backin' Birkenhead

Dock Branch Neighbourhood Community Panel comprises 6 community representatives and 2 representatives from Wirral Borough Council. The panel was set up in an advisory capacity to help shape the development of the Dock Branch Park (DBP) and Neighbourhood Masterplans; significant regeneration projects for Birkenhead, Wirral. Panel members are keen to promote a stewardship model for maintaining the park and the area adjacent to the park through planting, cleansing, growing and greening community initiatives. These stewardship, animation and passive surveillance activities will be critical to the success of the park and encourage optimal use and inclusivity of local residents. Over the next 12 months the panel has the opportunity to contribute to the final stages of the design process for the DBP. This project captures the theme of ‘growing together’ by identifying opportunities for engaging local people in ‘meanwhile use’ projects of the DBP area while the regeneration programme is finalised. It also fulfils GroundsWell’s principle of ‘maximising the health benefits of green spaces’; as these projects gather momentum residents will use the park from the day of opening, encouraging further usage by creating a well populated park with stewardship, passive surveillance, and on-going activity. The park is a much-needed green space in what is a predominantly urban area with poor health outcomes. Promoting use and animation of the park is critical for supporting health improvements.