Warrenpoint Municipal Park Narrow Water Rose Planting Ceremony
A historical rose has been planted at Warrenpoint Municipal Park.
Newry Mourne and Down District Council Chair, Cllr Michael Savage was joined by Mukesh Sharma, Chair of The National Lottery Heritage Fund Northern Ireland to plant a historical rose, ‘Narrow Water’, in Warrenpoint Municipal Park.
The final investment by The National Lottery Heritage Fund project in Warrenpoint Municipal Park was to reintroduce a selection of plants from 1900s plant collection by renowned horticulturist, Thomas Smith.
Thomas Smith laid out Warrenpoint Municipal Park in 1907 with plants gifted from his nursery, Daisy Hill. Daisy Hill Nursery built its reputation for rare and interesting plants of all types supplying households of Europe and influential garden makers in North America.
Chairman, Cllr Michael Savage said: “Planting the ‘Narrow Water’ rose is a fitting tribute to Thomas Smith who created the Park in 1907.
“I am delighted to see the Park’s planting scheme extended to include plants from Smith’s Daisy Hill Nursery.
“Thomas Smith often named plants raised or selected by the nursery to reference local people and places, cementing the connections of the area through horticulture.
“He worked on numerous gardens including Narrow Water Castle, which was owned by Captain Hall who leased the Park to the Urban Council for 999 years, resulting in Narrow Water’s strong links with the Park.”
Mukesh Sharma, Chair of The National Lottery Heritage Fund in Northern Ireland, said: “Regenerating and conserving public parks remains a high priority for us, and we have been delighted to support the restoration of Warrenpoint Municipal Park as well as the events and initiatives that connect it with the community.
“Thanks to National Lottery players, people can enjoy a high quality, urban green space that is further enhanced by new planting schemes that will be appreciated by both local people and visitors to the area.”
The plant collection in the Park now boasts another Turner’s Oak, to match the original Turner’s Oaks.
Rambling roses have a new home growing up selected trees in the beds and the beautiful old magnolia has received treatment to ensure it is protected for years to come.
A magnolia has been planted opposite the much-loved magnolia to create planting symmetry. In the Spring beautiful heritage daffodils will also bloom.
Chairman, Cllr Michael Savage acknowledged The National Lottery Heritage Fund for its support and the various voluntary and community groups, schools, individuals, and businesses who have participated and assisted in the delivery of the Warrenpoint Municipal Park Project.
To ensure the heritage of the Park continues to be shared following project completion, information points have been installed beside the benches throughout the Park.
Visitors can scan the QR code, sit back, watch a video, browse images, listen to an audio file, read a book especially written about the Park and enjoy the smell the beautiful roses.
The project is now closed. Since restoration, Warrenpoint Municipal Park has received over 749,000 visitors.
A School’s Programme was delivered, a children’s book was published, volunteers were trained in Tour Guiding, Active Citizenship and Community Engagement.
Many events have taken place including Bandstand Sundays, Family fun Wednesdays, Garden Show, Christmas Winter Garden and Wake the Giant. The Park is home to the monthly artisan market.
