Sunshine views from Everton Park (Image: Colin Lane/Liverpool Echo)
John Hutchinson, a 74 year old from Aintree, is captivated by the sight of two towering pinewoods in Everton Park. “They’re the first two trees that I saw planted around here.”
he recalls, reminiscing about his arrival in Everton in 1971 when high-rise blocks dominated the landscape and greenery was scarce.
Everton Park, a council-led initiative established in the 1980s, stretches across the west of Everton and boasts stunning views of the Liverpool skyline. It’s a popular spot for both locals and football fans visiting Anfield and Goodison.
Despite its beauty, John, who organises group meetings at the nearby Everton Community Garden, expresses his disappointment with the park’s current condition. He laments: “Obviously it’s got the best views down over the city. It looks brilliant, so it’s a fabulous asset in that respect. There’s also the history of the place.
“The maintenance of the park is awful, isn’t it? Personally, I think they [the council] should put more [money] into some of this because what’s happening here, some of the things they’re not doing, it’s going to cost them more money in the long run.”, reports the Liverpool Echo.
Litter in Everton Park on March 11 2025 (Image: Jamie Greer/Liverpool ECHO)
“It’s just poor maintenance. We did a litter pick on the 15th of February here. We ended up with 28 bags of litter. People try to help, some council officers are co-operative and willing, but their hands are tied in some cases.”
Liverpool City Council has defended its efforts, stating it invests over £6 million annually in maintaining parks and green spaces across the city. The council also highlighted an additional investment of £3 million for park refurbishments, including £250,000 earmarked for various projects in Everton Park.
They urged residents to “take pride” in their local park and dispose of their rubbish responsibly.
John from Everton Community Garden lamented: “One of the great embarrassments is that, if you’re a fan of Newcastle United or any other existing football team, you get off your train and you walk to Anfield or Goodison and you go through Everton Park.
Edmund Kay (right) and his friend Peter in Everton Park (Image: Jamie Greer/Liverpool ECHO)
“There are literally thousands upon thousands of people who walk through this park from other cities. They go away and they think, what a dump that is. A load of them walk through Everton Park. And if there’s litter all over the place, it’s not a good look, is it?”
Local resident Edmund Kay, aged 69, expressed his disappointment to the ECHO: “I remember the park being built. Originally this was a load of streets here. It used to be a really good park. Now it’s really gone downhill.”
His pal Peter lamented: “I’ve lived here and in the south end. There’s no better view of Liverpool from here. Loads of people come here, including dog walkers and boxers in training. But look around you.
“It’s really poor. I know the council has faced cuts but I’ve been to Sefton Park and it’s spotless. Here, there’s lots of litter and the grass isn’t being cut.
“I don’t mind rewilding but they should be tidying up. A lot of tourists come here because of the views of the city and they’re not impressed when they see how scruffy it looks. I feel embarrassed for them.”
ECHO photographers on the scene this Tuesday (March 11) captured images of the park marred by litter, graffiti and unkempt grass. Local resident Carol Tierney, aged 60 from Everton, voiced her dismay while navigating the park on her mobility scooter, remarking to an ECHO reporter: “I got my wedding photos taken here 30 years ago. Now it’s s***hole. It’s a disgrace. The park is neglected, strewn with litter and trodden by uneven, cracked paths.”
Locals have also highlighted other issues plaguing the area like inadequate street lighting, rampant graffiti, play areas crying out for refurbishment, and the nuisance of vehicles zooming across the park under the cloak of night.
John Hutchinson, far right, and other volunteers at Everton Community Garden (Image: Jamie Greer/Liverpool Echo)
Despite some challenges, local volunteers like John are eager to highlight the numerous positive aspects of the park. The community garden and the Scouse Flowerhouse’s contributions have attracted an abundance of birds, butterflies, and wildlife, while the skateparks and football pitches see regular activity.
Everton West’s Councillor Jane Corbett, who was raised in the vicinity, remains hopeful for the park’s prospects. She believes that the upcoming shift in Liverpool Streetscene Services (LSSL) management will be beneficial.
Since its inception in 2016, LSSL, a subsidiary of the council, has overseen the park’s upkeep. In a move last November, the council declared its intention to reintegrate LSSL staff into its direct oversight by 2025.
Cllr Corbett expressed her enthusiasm: “This is a big year for Everton Park. Thanks to Peloton, British Cycling and the council working together £380k has been spent creating the amazing mini roads scheme.”
Unkept grass sprouting through the pavement in Everton Park on March 11 2025 (Image: Jamie Greer/Liverpool ECHO)
The ‘mini-roads’ initiative introduces a novel cycle track mimicking a real road network, complete with junctions and pedestrian crossings. Cllr Corbett further noted: “The new park cycle route is also open and already being well used. £167,000 has been agreed for the revamping and upgrading of the walled Nature Garden, with input from the children, families and the voluntary groups linked up with Everton Park.”
An impressive £264,000 is set to be funnelled into sprucing up the Everton Terrace playground with brand-new equipment, plus making the China Street playground fully accessible and enhancing the multi-use games area, all expected to be completed by late autumn.
The integration of LSSL back within the Council’s fold later in the year will bridge the teams responsible for park maintenance against recurring problems across the sprawling greens.
Unkept grass in Everton Park on March 11 2025 (Image: Jamie Greer/Liverpool ECHO)
When Liverpool City Council was reached out for insights on these developments, their spokesperson conveyed: “The Council invests over £6m a year maintaining our parks and greenspaces across the city. We are also investing a further £3m to refurbish many of our parks to make them easier and safer to access.”
The spokesperson added detailed plans for Everton Park: “We have a number of projects planned for Everton Park using over £250,000 of this new funding, which will include improvements around two children’s playgrounds, and increased accessibility and pathways around the nature garden, which will also be subject to an upgrade.”
Reflecting on the winter services, they clarified seasonal adjustments noting: “Over the winter months we pause our grass cutting programme due to the weather and ground conditions. This is due to restart from next week. As outlined in our Pollinator Strategy, we have adopted a more wildlife-friendly approach, reducing the mowing frequency within areas of our parks to help and support nature.
Graffiti at the Everton Park viewpoint on March 11 2025 (Image: Jamie Greer/Liverpool ECHO)
“Our parks are open for everyone to enjoy, and it is everyone’s responsibility to look after them. Littering is not only against the law, but also a blight on our beautiful greenspaces and creates a negative first impression for anyone visiting our city.
“We are investing more money into environmental enforcement this year to try to tackle the issue at its source, but cleaning up the mess left behind by people takes away vital money that could be used to improve other areas of Liverpool.
“We urge everyone who visits our greenspaces to take pride in them. Please place your rubbish in the public bins or take it home with you. If everyone treats our parks with respect, we can all continue to enjoy them for years to come.”