The land where the recreation field ( the rec ) is situated, was owned by Lord and Lady Stanley of Alderley. They sold a large piece of land from Hoylake up to Anglesey Road in West Kirby to the Hoylake Urban District Council in 1929. for housing,farm land and the golf course.The recreation field which was originally 10 acres was also sold by them to H.U.D.C. separately and was to be left as a recreation area for the families of Hoylake. There was a pavilion,bowling greens,children's swings/slides etc and a beautiful lawn area.
As the second world war was starting the Army built a training base on part of the rec.Most of it has gone now but what is left the army cadets and the air force cadets still use.
In the 1960`s again part of the rec was taken for offices/business. The rec was still kept in lovely condition, until the all the councils on the Wirral merged into Wirral Borough Council in 1974.From then on wards the rec was neglected by W.B.C.
In 1982 there was a big shock.The council wanted to sell the land to be built on. A group of residents got together to fight the council and they won.They also raised enough money to replace the children's play area, as the council had removed the original swings etc to another park.
The residents again have just been very concerned as a gym club wanted to take the rec,but they have stopped it from going ahead.We have had meetings with our local M.P. Margaret Greenwood.Been round with a petition were 96% of residents want to keep the rec.Had meetings with W.B.C. and we intend to get the rec back to being a enjoyable place for people to visit.This is the only open/green space we have. If we didn't have this play area our children would have to cross the railway lines and a main road to get to the next nearest park.
We have maps dating back to 1909 of the rec and would like it if anyone has any written information dated before 1929 we would be grateful.
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Friends of Carr Lane Recreation Field would like to thank Wirral Council and supporting groups for all there help in arranging and installing the new park bench showing below.
