Exciting Improvements for Ward Park this Spring!

Ards and North Down Borough Council is undertaking two substantial projects in Ward Park; a large, modern play park near the tennis courts and car park, and a new Dementia Friendly Sensory Garden beside the library.

The Council has secured £231,000 in funding from the Secretary of State for the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government as part of the UK Shared Prosperity Fund to deliver the new, improved play park and Dementia Friendly Sensory Garden, with additional funding coming from Council's existing Play Park Refurbishment budget. Work has already started on the new play park with both projects to be delivered by the end of March this year.

Minister for Local Growth and Building Safety, Alex Norris said:

"It is fantastic to see work get underway on the new play park and Dementia Friendly Sensory Garden in Bangor, backed by £231,000 of government funding. This is an exciting moment for local residents as transformative changes begin. We are committed to fixing the foundations of our communities, and projects like these play a key role in getting us closer to that goal."

Mayor of Ards and North Down, Councillor Alistair Cathcart, is delighted with the progress to date. He said:

"Ward Park holds a very special place in the hearts of many. The Council is committed to preserving and protecting this unique Edwardian Park while making the necessary improvements to ensure it is as sustainable and biodiverse as possible. Thanks to the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, the new play park and garden will provide wider and better user experiences, and we hope everyone will benefit from these new additions in some way."

The space outside the library, previously occupied by the old play park, will be transformed into a Dementia Friendly Sensory Garden, also due for completion by the end of March this year. This project is fully grant-funded, also from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund. The garden and play park are two of the eight projects within the Council's 'Communities & Place - Creating Positive Outcomes for our Communities and Place' Project, all of which were awarded funding.

To ensure this garden is created to meet the specific needs of those it is designed for, the Council engaged with the following organisations, people with dementia, their carers and representatives:

Dementia NI
Alzheimer's Society
Making Connections
South Eastern HSCT Dementia Friendly Partnership

Ward Park is set to benefit from a £5.5 million Environmental Improvement Scheme due to commence this Autumn. A public information session was held in April 2024, and residents are kept regularly updated on the scheme through the Ward Park Residents Association and the Council's Engagement platform (https://ards-northdown.govocal.com).

As part of these environmental improvement works, the ponds have already been desilted. The remaining work to improve paths and bridges, upgrade lighting and furniture, strengthen pond walls, and replace animal enclosures is planned to begin in Autumn, after the Summer 2025 events programme has ended. The integrity and style of this much-loved sanctuary will not be affected by this work; rather, it will be enhanced.

The new play park and Dementia Friendly Sensory Garden projects are outside the scope of the Environmental Improvement Scheme, but both are welcome additions to this cherished green sanctuary in the heart of Bangor, enjoyed by the entire community.

Chairman of Ward Park Residents Association Peter Bailey said:

"It is great to see work start on these additional improvements to our much-loved Park. A larger play park will be a great asset to the many families who live in the area and the new Dementia Friendly Sensory Garden will be a wonderful addition for those affected by the condition, it is such innovative idea. Both projects really do put the community at the heart of the works and we appreciate the Council engaging and working closely with local residents. We look forward to the wider works beginning this Autumn."

For more information, visit www.ardsandnorthdown.gov.uk/wardpark