North Wirral Coastal Park facts for kids
| Site of Special Scientific Interest | |
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| Area of Search | Merseyside |
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| Coordinates | 53°25′08″N 3°07′05″W / 53.419°N 3.118°W |
| Interest | Biological |
| Area | 2109.9 hectares, 5,213.6 acres (21,099,000 m2) |
| Notification | 1979 / 1983 |
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Designations
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| Official name: The Mersey Narrows and North Wirral Foreshore | |
| Designated: | 7 May 2013 |
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| Reference #: | 2202 |
The North Wirral Coastal Park is a special place on the Wirral Peninsula in England. It's a big park with open spaces, common land, natural beaches, and sand dunes. The park stretches about four miles along the coast. It goes from Dove Point in Meols to Kings Parade in New Brighton. This park was created in 1986.
Park rangers from the Metropolitan Borough of Wirral look after it. Their office is at the Leasowe Lighthouse. The park covers about 400 acres (988 hectares), making it the largest park in Wirral.
Even though the park as we know it is quite new, the area has a very long history. About 5000 years ago, this whole area, including the beach, was covered in thick forests. You can still see parts of this ancient 'submerged forest' at Dove Point in Meols, between the slipway and the groyne.
Fun Activities at North Wirral Coastal Park
Amazing Wildlife
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The North Wirral Coastal Park is a very important place for birds. It has been given a special status called a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). This means it's one of the best places in the country for wading birds.
Many different kinds of birds live or visit here. You might see Eurasian oystercatchers, common redshanks, dunlins, and sanderlings. Other birds include ruddy turnstones, northern lapwings, bar-tailed godwits, and Eurasian curlews.
These birds find lots of food in the foreshore area. The water and sand are full of fish, worms, and crabs. Some of the creatures they eat are shore crabs, shrimps, prawns, and different kinds of worms like lugworms and ragworms. There are also shellfish like cockles, tellins, and peppery furrow shells. Small fish like gobies, blennies, sole, plaice, flounder, dab, and pipefish also live here.
Sports and Recreation
The park is a very popular spot for many outdoor activities. People love to come here for sailing and angling (fishing). It's also a great place for swimming when the weather is nice.
Many visitors enjoy being active in the park. You can go cycling along the paths or enjoy a relaxing picnic. It's also perfect for walking, jogging, and playing ball games. If you love nature, you can go bird watching to spot the many different birds. Some people even enjoy horse riding here.
