12/02/2026
Rathbone Park Progress Update
Dear Community Members,
This update provides a snapshot of the progress made at Rathbone Park over the past six months. We understand that visible activity may have seemed limited, but significant behind-the-scenes work has been ongoing throughout 2025. Much of this time has been dedicated to coordinating efforts and navigating administrative processes.
We've engaged in productive meetings with Liverpool City Council Parks and Gardens, including a discovery meeting at the Joseph Lappin Centre. This meeting allowed us to connect with members from other "Friends Of" park groups and learn from their experiences in park development and management. A subsequent meeting hosted by Liverpool Parks and Gardens was particularly valuable for the Friends of Rathbone Park (FoRP) management team, enabling us to establish face-to-face relationships with our contacts at the Council.
We extend our sincere gratitude to Councillor and Deputy Lord Mayor William Shortall for his invaluable support, guidance, and active assistance in advancing our initiatives. His expertise has been instrumental in overcoming obstacles and charting the right course for our efforts.
We have gathered numerous promising ideas for the park's future, but it's important to emphasize that we are still in the consultation phase. We encourage you to share any thoughts or suggestions you may have.
As you know, Rathbone Park has experienced a period of limited maintenance. Despite this, the park's skateboarding and BMX facilities have remained a valued resource, particularly for local residents. We would like to acknowledge Benny, a dedicated volunteer and member of the FoRP sub-committee, who, along with a team of supporters, has generously contributed time and resources to maintain the safety and usability of the skate park.
Recognizing the park's overall condition, FoRP initiated efforts to address the overgrowth of grass onto pathways and edgings in the summer of 2025. Benny and his team volunteered their time to clear debris and overgrowth from the tarmac pitch, collecting significant amounts of glass and rubbish. Councillor William Shortall promptly arranged for the Street Cleaning service to remove the collected waste. While the pathway clearing efforts were substantial, the extent of the overgrowth prevented complete restoration due to time and weather constraints. We appreciate the positive feedback received from dog walkers and other park users regarding these initial improvements.
The community's efforts were highlighted during a FoRP meeting with Parks and Gardens at the Joseph Lappin Centre. We are pleased to report that Liverpool City Council Parks and Gardens recently addressed the pathways at Rathbone Park with specialized equipment, achieving a significant improvement.
Thank you for your continued support in preserving Rathbone Park as a vital green space in Old Swan. We will announce details for our next Rathbone Park meeting soon.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact any member of the FoRP Executive Team: Joanne, Phil, or Paul.
Sincerely,
The Friends of Rathbone Park Team
