The 12th Duke of Devonshire planted a Chinese tulip tree in Princes Park in Toxteth and in Birkenhead Park to celebrate the parks' designer Joseph Paxton.
As guests of Friends of Princes Park, the Duke was accompanied by Steve Porter, head gardener at his Chatsworth Estate and the deputy Lord Mayor Mary Rasmussen. The Park celebrates 180 years after opening in 1842, five years earlier than Birkenhead park.
Richard Vaughan Yates, and his family, made their wealth from the Transatlantic Slave Trade commissioned Paxton to design the park. Land was purchased from the Earl of Sefton to create Princes Park and like many in the slave trade they showed off their wealth building parks churches and other buildings throughout Liverpool. The Yates family owned a large property in Dingle, Liverpool 8.
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The Duke told the ECHO: "I'm delighted to be here, this is the second time I’ve visited and it’s a beautiful park. The lake has had work done and the park is in splendid condition thanks to the Friends of Princes Park who are doing a wonderful job looking after it".
When opened, the area around the lake was for private use of those who lived in the mansions and houses overlooking it. The rest was open to the public making it one of the first public parks in the country.
Paxton was head gardener for the 6th Duke of Devonshire at his Chatsworth Estate and Steve Porter, the current head said: "This is my second visit to Princes Park and I love it because its got this strong Paxton connection which we got at Chatsworth. It's lovely to come and see Paxton’s work here in Liverpool.
"There’s so much energy going into the park. The Friends and the local community enjoy it and use it as a green space. Many parks don't get that love and attention".
The Duke took in the sights and wildlife around the lake. He then met Sonia Bassey from Mandela8 and discussed the bridge and memorial that will be made on the island in honour of Nelson Mandela.
Deputy lord Mayor, Mary Rasmussen said: "I love it. It's definitely a hidden gem. I spent years going to Sefton Park down the road, probably because I lived nearer to Sefton Park than I do to this. This is delightful and I will definitely be coming back when it gets the bridge”.
Both parks installed, in addition to the tree, a stone plaque commemorating Paxton. Each will also get a Paxton Blue Plaque. There will be a third tree planted at the Duke's estate too.
Katy Gardner of Friends of Princes Park added: "We have this very beautiful blue plaque dedicated to Joseph Paxton. We’re very much hoping it will be fitted on or near the pillars of the Sunburst Gate, so it will be really visible to people as they come into the park and they will understand how this park was created."
Paxton also designed Crystal Palace for the Great Exhibition of 1851. The organisers rejected almost 250 designs for the main exhibition hall before accepting his.
For information visit: https://www.friendsofprincesparkl8.org.uk/the-park/joseph-paxton
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