New Play Park opens at Meadowlands, Downpatrick.
Meadowlands, a large social housing estate in Downpatrick with over 250 children under the age of 15 in the immediate area, now has a state-of-the-art play/community facility.
A new play park was officially opened today in the Meadowlands estate of Downpatrick.
The facilities were funded by the Department for Communities (DfC) with a £225,000 investment through the Neighbourhood Renewal Intervention Fund (NRIF). A contributed of £25,000 towards the project was also made from Newry and Mourne District Council (NM&DDC).
Speaking at the opening, DfC Deputy Permanent Secretary, Moira Doherty said: “I am delighted to be here today to official open this new play park which has facilities for children of all abilities and is truly inclusive for the Meadowlands area.
“This facility is the culmination of a real team effort with many individuals and organisations in this area. Partnership working is vital to projects like this one come to fruition and I thank the council for all their hard work.”
Councillor Charlie Casey, Chair of Newry Mourne and Down District Council, said: “This state of the art play park is a fantastic asset to Downpatrick and is already being used extensively by the local community. The health and wellbeing of our young people is imperative, and this new play park will help them enjoy physical exercise in a safe and friendly environment. It is an excellent example of what can be achieved through effective partnership working.”
The Chairperson of Meadowlands Community Association, Danny Quinn, added: “As Chairman of our Community Association I welcome this new facility for the children of the Meadowlands area. We have waited a very long time for this investment and I would like to sincerely thank DfC and Newry Mourne and Down District Council for all their work on this project.
“The local residents especially the children are over the moon with the playpark. It has certainly lifted spirits in the estate. “
( The project was completed on 31 March 2019.xa0 )
