[1][2] The park lies along the Wirral Way, which follows the trackbed of part of the former Birkenhead Railway route from West Kirby[nb 1] to Hooton.

[nb 2] The old line, which closed in 1962, follows the estuary of the River Dee for 7 miles (11 km) between West Kirby and Parkgate then heads inland, across the Wirral peninsula, to Hooton.

The park's creation followed a successful campaign by Captain Lawrence Beswick DSM, which prompted the necessary investment from the Countryside Commission.

Construction of the park required the removal of 30 miles (48 km) of railway track and accompanying sleepers, the digging and forming of drainage channels, levelling and consolidation of thousands of tons of gravel or ballast, and the removal of some brick-built road bridges.

During high spring tides, visitors may also catch a glimpse of certain birds of prey such as peregrines, hen harriers and day-hunting short-eared owls.