Dock Branch Park
Wirral Council were part way through their process to create a linear green space in a former railway corridor in Birkenhead. As part of that long process, they had been working with architects and landscape architects on various aspects of the project and included some stakeholder engagement. They wanted to reach out further and commissioned PLACED to deliver public engagement.
The project to transform the disused railway between Rock Ferry and Bidston Dock is part of the ambitious Birkenhead 2040 Framework, with aspirations to create and deliver an urban garden city.
What we did
PLACED created and delivered a two-day pop-up shop in the Pyramids shopping centre in Birkenhead. A short distance from where the Dock Branch Park will be we were able to capitalise on the footfall and local views of shoppers in Birkenhead.
Our events made use of a bank of precent images to gather a wide range of views on the possible look and feel of the future Dock Branch Park. We also used luggage tags to collect information on the sorts of activities people might want to do in the future park. And to help spread some greenery right from the outset we offered plant pot decorating and daffodil bulb planting for participants to take away.
At our events we spoke with Birkenhead and other Wirral residents, older people, disabled people, LGBT+ people, ex-service personnel, young families, and young people (including teenagers and children).
Outcome
We were able to broaden the engagement at this early phase of the Dock Branch Park design work and bring information and visibility of the project right into the heart of Birkenhead.
