Embedded Files
The Friends of Port Sunlight disbanded in 2025
The Friends website & facebook page are no-longer in use
For up to date information on the park look at the TCV & Land Trust social media
In memory of Carolyn Welsh, inspiration for this project
Alison and Carl good in every way.mp3‘I love the park, it’s a place of tranquillity but also drama. I’ve been here at sunrise to see the sun rise over the Mersey, I’ve watched fireworks, been here with my family and my friends. It’s just beautiful and lovely - good in every way’
‘I love the park, it’s a place of tranquillity but also drama. I’ve been here at sunrise to see the sun rise over the Mersey, I’ve watched fireworks, been here with my family and my friends. It’s just beautiful and lovely - good in every way’
Alison McGovern, chair of Friends of Port Sunlight River Park and local MP.
Alison McGovern, chair of Friends of Port Sunlight River Park and local MP.
Environment meant nothing then. The smoke was unbelievable. When you think, our company had 15 tugs, there must have been 70 tugs on the river, all the coasters, ferry boats, everything were all coal burners. All them ashes went in the river. We used to dump everything in the river. Any old paint tins, all went in the river, any old junk went in the river. How it’s recovered is amazing. We’ve got dolphins there now. I never in my lifetime thought I’d see that.
Environment meant nothing then. The smoke was unbelievable. When you think, our company had 15 tugs, there must have been 70 tugs on the river, all the coasters, ferry boats, everything were all coal burners. All them ashes went in the river. We used to dump everything in the river. Any old paint tins, all went in the river, any old junk went in the river. How it’s recovered is amazing. We’ve got dolphins there now. I never in my lifetime thought I’d see that.
Carl L Tug Boat crewman
Carl L Tug Boat crewman
Introduction
Introduction
Welcome to Port Sunlight River Park History Trail. The 32 hectare park opened in 2014 after transformation from a closed landfill site. It’s a popular community space with varied paths, wildlife, wildflowers and a wetlands area.
Welcome to Port Sunlight River Park History Trail. The 32 hectare park opened in 2014 after transformation from a closed landfill site. It’s a popular community space with varied paths, wildlife, wildflowers and a wetlands area.
The Park is on the bank of the River Mersey and offers excellent views of the River , Liverpool and across the Wirral to Wales
The Park is on the bank of the River Mersey and offers excellent views of the River , Liverpool and across the Wirral to Wales
The River Park is managed by The Conservation Volunteers (TCV) on behalf of the Land Trust who lease the area from both Biffa and UML (Unilever). Autism Together run the cafe and also do conservation tasks in the park in conjunction with the TCV Ranger. Many of the Friends of PSRP also help with conservation work & various events at the Park.
The River Park is managed by The Conservation Volunteers (TCV) on behalf of the Land Trust who lease the area from both Biffa and UML (Unilever). Autism Together run the cafe and also do conservation tasks in the park in conjunction with the TCV Ranger. Many of the Friends of PSRP also help with conservation work & various events at the Park.
As the landfill is still settling, items from the capping material find their way to the surface. It is important for your safety and the safety of your children and dogs that you always keep to the surfaced paths.
As the landfill is still settling, items from the capping material find their way to the surface. It is important for your safety and the safety of your children and dogs that you always keep to the surfaced paths.
The trail has been produced by Friends of Port Sunlight River Park from interviews with local residents and site workers. The distance is 3km with an additional 600m walk to return to the car park. The trail will take about 90 minutes to complete.
The trail has been produced by Friends of Port Sunlight River Park from interviews with local residents and site workers. The distance is 3km with an additional 600m walk to return to the car park. The trail will take about 90 minutes to complete.
This Website complements a printed trail guide.
This Website complements a printed trail guide.
There is a paper History Trial guide available from the Heritage Centre in the park and other places. Also downloadable.
There is a paper History Trial guide available from the Heritage Centre in the park and other places. Also downloadable.
This website provides further information and links other sources.
This website provides further information and links other sources.
There is also an Mobile App. https://geotourist.com/tours/4097 which provides a commentary using the voices of the many people who have been in someway involved in the history of the Park site. (note the app is dependant on Geotourist whick keeps altering how is software works. As do most compaines who produce such software.)
There is also an Mobile App. https://geotourist.com/tours/4097 which provides a commentary using the voices of the many people who have been in someway involved in the history of the Park site. (note the app is dependant on Geotourist whick keeps altering how is software works. As do most compaines who produce such software.)
02 PSRP Trail leaflet (for website).pdfThe Web site contains extracts from talks with Local Residents and People who worked on the site.
The Web site contains extracts from talks with Local Residents and People who worked on the site.
The comments and views reflect a time when " Environment meant nothing "
The comments and views reflect a time when " Environment meant nothing "
Carl L Tug Boat crewman
Carl L Tug Boat crewman
Now in my opinion now it’s so wrong that we put stuff in the ground. I now work for Chester Zoo and obviously conservation is of the utmost importance to me. However, at the time, I’ve got to be honest I didn’t really think much about it
Now in my opinion now it’s so wrong that we put stuff in the ground. I now work for Chester Zoo and obviously conservation is of the utmost importance to me. However, at the time, I’ve got to be honest I didn’t really think much about it
Jane, weighbridge operator
Jane, weighbridge operator
© AT/Landtrust
© AT/Landtrust
Opening of Port Sunlight River Park 12th August 2014
Opening of Port Sunlight River Park 12th August 2014
The Mayor-Steve Foulkes did the business and opened the gates and everyone just poured in and then went up the hill to the summit so they could have that view I’d had all those years ago. It was five years later. It was like watching people on a religious pilgrimage, all trouping up to the top desperate to see that view
The Mayor-Steve Foulkes did the business and opened the gates and everyone just poured in and then went up the hill to the summit so they could have that view I’d had all those years ago. It was five years later. It was like watching people on a religious pilgrimage, all trouping up to the top desperate to see that view
Alison McGovern
Alison McGovern
© AT/Landtrust
© AT/Landtrust
© neatnik.co.uk / Friends PSRP
© neatnik.co.uk / Friends PSRP
We would encourage anyone who worked or lived in the area to get in touch. We would love to tell your story
for items related to the history or this website email us at friendsofpsrp@gmail.com
For anything else relating to the Park contact
https://thelandtrust.org.uk/space/port-sunlight-river-park
https://www2.tcv.org.uk/cgi-bin/volunteer/activities?search=CH62%204TQ;distance=1
More information is available in the River Park Heritage Centre and further contributions are welcome.
More information is available in the River Park Heritage Centre and further contributions are welcome.
We have tried to acknowledge photographs and contributors and apologise for any omissions.
We have tried to acknowledge photographs and contributors and apologise for any omissions.
This project was funded through HLF Sharing Heritage grant.
This project was funded through HLF Sharing Heritage grant.
© Friends PSRP 2026.
© Friends PSRP 2026.
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