Parents, grandparents and children in Speke are demanding a new park, claiming their community has been "fenced off", "built on" and "neglected" for decades. A community consultation event run by South Liverpool Homes was taken over by dozens of children holding signs reading: "Speke needs a park" and "no more houses".
No Large Public Park for 15,000 Residents
Residents point out that for a community of around 15,000 people, 4,000 of them children, there is no large municipal public park. The campaign is spearheaded by grandmother Dawn Millea, who told the ECHO: "We are here today because back in the 1980s we had a 14-acre park in the centre of Speke. It had play equipment, places to picnic, everyone used it. In the 90s it was made into big hills and tarmac paths that no one really used."
"Then it got sold off and they built a Morrisons and a school. We were promised we would get our park back on another site, but houses have since been built on that."
Families Forced to Drive to Parks
Dawn, who organised the protest with her daughter Kari and grandchildren, added: "We need a functional park for the kids in this area. There are 15,000 people here and 4,000 kids and there is no park." She said on Sunday it took three car loads to get to Hale Park and back. "There is nowhere to play."
Dawn's daughter said: "We have to drive just to go to a park. It puts people off, we should be able to walk to one every day." Locals believe a piece of green space on Stapleton Avenue could be the perfect spot, currently used as a "dog park". One child held a sign stating: "Dogs have a park, what about the kids?"
Children Write Letters Citing UN Rights
Local children have written letters explaining why a new park is needed. One stated: "There are no parks in Speke. Kids are playing in the street and that's not safe." Another wrote: "We should have a park because the closest park is too far away." One youngster cited the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, writing: "According to Article 31 ... children have the right to play."
South Liverpool Homes Response
A spokesperson for South Liverpool Homes said the organisation is carrying out community consultations as part of its Green and Open Spaces Plan 2025-2030. "We understand and appreciate the passion local residents have for improving outdoor spaces in Speke. These consultations are an opportunity for local people to share their views on how SLH-owned green spaces can better support wellbeing, biodiversity and community life."
They noted that many larger public open spaces are owned and managed by Liverpool City Council. The campaigners have launched a petition to create a new park.
