Fun is on the agenda across the borough as Mid and East Antrim Council continues to seek funding to invest in quality and inclusive play parks for all, with upgrades plans for Martinstown and Ahoghill among others.
Work is set to get underway this week on a new play park for families in the Martinstown area. Contractors are scheduled to be onsite today, Monday 27 March, to begin the refurbishment of the village's park.
The designs of the play park were developed following a community consultation process which helped shape this fantastic provision for children of all abilities.
Funding was secured by Council through DAERA/Dept for Communities Small Settlement Fund and has enabled this investment in our rural community.
Meanwhile it is understood that work will also be commencing after Easter for the new play park in Ahoghill. It is estimated that contractors will begin working on the site from Monday 10 April.
The play park upgrades are being undertaken as part of Council's Fixed Play Park Investment Framework 2023-26 that was approved at a meeting of the Direct Services Committee in February this year.
The Framework includes design principles for all future fixed play area refurbishments and sets out a criteria for new play parks. This enable Council to secure funding when opportunities arise as the consultation process has already been completed.
Mid and East Antrim Borough Council has budgeted to invest £600,000 this financial year (2023/24) times in the borough's parks.
Elsewhere across Mid and East Antrim work has already commenced on play park refurbishments at Woodburn Play Park, Carrickfergus, Ferris Play Park, Larne, and Wilson Crescent Play Park, Ballymena.
Work began in Wilson Crescent at the end of January 2023 and per council policy the design was developed following a community consultation process which helped shape the fantastic provision for children of all abilities.
The refurbishment of this park is funded by Council with a contribution of £27,000 through the Department for Communities’ Access and Inclusion Fund which is supporting this project through the purchase of accessible and inclusive equipment.
The Council's Fixed Play Park Framework includes priorities for future investment and refurbishment work. These include the following areas:
• Ballymena North - Council officers are to review available land in the area, including a possible land transfer from NIHE in the Fisherwick area.
• Ballymena King George Park - additional piece of equipment.
• Newtowncrommelin - examine the feasibility of a new play park.
• Tullygarley Play Park, Larne - addition of inclusive equipment.
• Linn Road Play Park, Larne - addition of inclusive equipment
• Curran Park, Larne - As a park for both locals and visitors this site needs investment to ensure high standard is maintained.
• Marine Gardens Play Park, Carrickfergus - Significant investment of current provision
• Amphitheatre Play Park, Carrickfergus - Equipment for younger children
• Windmill Play Park, Carrickfergus - Additional equipment and benches