IT HAS taken four years of hard work but just a few hours after the final touches werecompleted the Speke Garston Coastal Park hosted its first major event.

The reserve, made up mainly of the former Speke Airport site, has undergone a £5m revamp with new pathways, landscaping, seating, viewpoints for bird watching and a car park being created.

And more than 200 people turned up to mark its completion by taking part in the Walk for Health - two and four-mile strolls round the park organised by the NHS and Liverpool Ramblers.

Iain Taylor, development manager at the Mersey Basin Campaign, said: "This is the first event to take place in the coastal reserve.

"What is really great is that it was organised by the ramblers and the NHS so it was the community wanting to use it rather than us trying to do something.

"We have been working on it for four years. This is one of the few parts of natural coastline in Liverpool and it was such an underused asset.

"Part of the site was the old airfield.

"We are thrilled so many people turned up to the first event, it was a fantastic day."

The plans to redevelop the six hectare site overlooking the River Mersey were jointly funded by Mersey Waterfront, set up to regenerate the coastline, and European cash.

Work is also under way on a new £1.25m boathouse in the coastal reserve, five years after the original building was razed to the ground in an arson attack.

Liverpool Sailing Club had been in limbo since the blaze destroyed its home near the old Speke airport in December 2000.

But the newsail-shaped building should be completed within the next two months.

Sara Wilde, chairwoman of Mersey Waterfront, said: "Historically, this area has seen years of decline and neglect, and suffered serious issues with anti-social behaviour.

"However this scheme, together with the redevelopment of the Sailing Club, is a clear opportunity to create an outstanding public space.

"Renewal of this wasteland will not only encourage local people to take pride in the area, but will help create a better impression for potential investors in the nearby Liverpool International Business Park and Liverpool John Lennon Airport."

To ensure the improvements are sustainable, a management group incorporating land-owners Peel Holdings, the Mersey Basin Campaign and Liverpool City Council has been set up to maintain the site.

The adjoining Estuary Business Park is also being integrated into the new reserve's security, to help deal with potential problems such as vandalism and fly-tipping.

Paul Lakin, area manager for the Northwest Development Agency, which fund Mersey Waterfront, said: "The NWDA is pleased to have been able to provide funding to the Mersey Waterfront to help establish this important scheme. As well to providing an attractive, place for local people to use and enjoy, the nature reserve will benefit the area economically, by improving the image of the Liverpool City Region."

samlister@dailypost.co.uk