ANNSBOROUGH Community Play Park has undergone a radical transformation thanks to funding of £74,281 towards refurbishment and development of the facility.
The support came from the Northern Ireland Rural Development Programme supporting rural Ards, Banbridge, Down and North Down through the Down Rural Area Partnership, and Down District Council.
Speaking at the opening ceremony Local Action Group Chairperson, David Kerr, said: “The wonderful new park is a product of the hard work of Annsborough Community Development Forum, who worked closely alongside the staff of Down Rural Area Partnership, Down District Council and County Down Community Network, to make this project a success.”
“The new play park is now of a high standard which encourages children to play together, interact and socialise through physical activity, and I have no doubt that this worthwhile project that will bring great benefits to the youth of Annsborough and the surrounding area.”
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Down District Councillor Gareth Sharvin, Council Vice Chairperson, officially opens up Annsborough playpark with DARD Permanent Secretary Noel Lavery. Pictured are local parents and children with LAG members and staff from the County Down RCN.[/caption]
Over 30 children, parents, and community members gathered to celebrate the opening of the new facility on Saturday 28 September at the official opening ceremony, officiated by Noel Lavery, Permanent Secretary, Department for Rural Development (DARD).
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Local Annsborough children are delighted with their new playpark.[/caption]
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Local Annsborough children are delighted with their new playpark.[/caption]
There was plenty of fun and games and young laughter of the day with live music and refreshments. Local children flocked on to the new playing facility giving it a huge thumbs up.
Gerard Lynch, Chairman of the Annsborough Community Forum, said: “Our community are absolutely delighted with teh new playpark. The children have been on it from dawn to dusk. We first began the long road in 2009 and had a community consultation.
“At the top of the list everyone said that a playpark was number the one need. We secured £5000 to get a GroundworkNI survey done then we applied to the Down Rural Area Partnership and Down District Council for assistance. This was a £100,000 project, the balance being paid fro by Down District Council.
“We had to form a limited company to get this done. The old park before was a sorry looking place, and not fit for children to play on. Today it has put real pride back into our community and you can see this in the children and their laughter. Everyone is just absolutely delighted.
“We’d like to thank everyone for their assistance in helping us achieve our goals and a special thank you to County Down RCN for their help in supporting up with the administration of the project.
“For years to come children will be able to play safely in a fenced of area and their parents too can sit with them and have a chat.
“We would like to develop the park area further but that will be a project for another day which we are already looking at.”
