Rimrose Valley
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53°28′23″N 3°00′36″W / 53.473°N 3.010°W
| Rimrose Valley | |
|---|---|
 Entrance to Park | |
 | |
| Location | Between Crosby and Litherland |
| Nearest city | Liverpool |
| Operated by | Sefton Council |
| Open | Open all year round |
Rimrose Valley is a 3.5 km (2.2 mi) country park and valley which forms a border between Crosby and Litherland in the borough of Sefton, Merseyside, England, with the Leeds and Liverpool Canal on its eastern edge.[1]
Because the brook that runs through the park regularly floods, it remained clear of the housing developments that grew up on either side. However, the central area was used as a tip until 1978 and restoration began in 1993. Rimrose is a Hybrid word from Old English hrim (modern "rim"), 'border' and Celtic ros meaning "moor" or "heath".[citation needed]
Following concern over young people riding scrambler bikes in the park,[2] resulting in at least one serious accident,[3] the police launched a crackdown in 2015.[4] This led to the formation of Rimrose Valley Friends; a charity which works to promote, protect and enhance the park. The charity delivers activities and events which use the parkland to promote physical and mental health, community cohesion and projects which protect the natural environment.
Formation
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The formation of the valley in its current state can be dated back over the last 1.6 million years, during which time sand, peat and clay deposits have built up over parts of the valley, which itself has formed as a result of sandstone strata erosion. The outer edges of the valley were put to use as farmland, particularly on higher ground where flooding was less likely, though throughout the 20th century much of the farm land has been restricted to the northernmost regions of the valley.[5]
20th century
In January 1991, it was reported that the valley, then a wasteland and rubbish tip area, was part of a study which planned on developing the region into a country park and leisure area.[6] Reports in October 1992 suggested that plans to turn the area into a premier leisure park were being prepared for consideration by councilors, which would involve landscaping to facilitate a variety of sports facilities.[7] Up until 1978, the central area was used as a tip and restoration began in 1993.[1]
Geology
Rimrose Valley is now part of the Mersey Forest[1] and the most southerly extent of the West Lancashire Coastal Plain.[citation needed] The south of the valley contains the Brookvale Nature Reserve which is the only one in Sefton that is not on the coast and is, along with Fulwood Way in the north, a Site of Special Local Biological Interest.[1]
Layout
Because of the size of the park, the area has been divided into five colour-coded zones that allow people to narrow down their location if they need to contact the emergency services.[8] The north–south walking distance is approximately 6 km (3.7 mi), with a grade of moderate and an estimated walking time of 90 minutes.[5]
