Rural communities ready to play!
Tuesday 15 August 2023
Mayor of Mid and East Antrim, Alderman Gerardine Mulvenna, was joined by representatives from the Department for Communities, Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs, local residents and Elected Members to officially celebrate the opening of the recently refurbished Martinstown and Ahoghill Play Parks.
The £300,000 refurbishment of Martinstown and Ahoghill play-parks - which both reopened in June 2023 - has been welcomed by the local community, with reports of continual use throughout the current school holidays.
The upgrades have been completed as part of the Covid Recovery Small Settlements Regeneration Programme. Grant funding of £270,000 was awarded by the Department for Communities (DfC), Department for Infrastructure (DfI) and the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA).
Mayor, Alderman Gerardine Mulvenna, said: “It’s fantastic to see the completion of these great resources for the local, rural communities.
“Play-park refurbishment across the Borough is carried out as part of the Council’s Play Investment Framework and Out to Play Strategy. This strategy and ongoing investment in play demonstrates the importance placed on play by Council.
“The last few years have demonstrated the importance of access to quality outdoor spaces on the physical and mental wellbeing of our young people. I hope that these new play parks are enjoyed by children and young people for many years to come.”
The design of each play park was developed following a community consultation process.
