In March 2014, Wirral Autistic Society, were awarded £500 through the Love Wirral Grant to work on a Glacial Rock and Cliff-top Access Project at Thurstaston Country Park in partnership with the Wirral Coastal Rangers.
The proposal was to construct a wheelchair and pushchair friendly route from the Visitor’s Centre, across the grassy field to the cliff edge so that more people can appreciate the local landscape and views across the Dee estuary to North Wales.
Team members from Community and Well Being, began working on the project on June 2nd 2014, when a digger was hired to carve out the pathway and create a natural barrier along the cliff top edge, as well as a display area for glacial rocks.
The Coastal Rangers volunteer group from the Wirral Autistic Society, has since been working to fill the pathway with gravel. So far nearly 40 tonnes has been wheel barrowed and shovelled onto the path and then raked and compressed to form a smooth, solid surface suitable for wheelchair users and others with limited mobility. The glacial rocks have also been moved to their new location.
We are now waiting for a tamperer to compact down the gravel and then we will continue to fill in any holes or low points along the route. Display signs will also be put up to give information on the glacial rocks and cliff-top views. Ongoing maintenance will also be required to keep the path and display in good repair.
Other groups have also been helping on the odd Wednesday and Friday as part of the volunteering sections of their Duke of Edinburgh and Gateway Awards.