Ritchie announces funding boost for £258,000 Downpatrick playground projects

Social Development Minister Margaret Ritchie today announced funding of £233,000 for play parks at Mount Crescent, and Marian Park in Downpatrick.

The projects are to be brought forward at a cost of over £258,000, made possible by a grant of over £233,000 provided by the Minister through the Neighbourhood Renewal Investment Fund, with the balance being provided by Down District Council. The Council will also manage the projects and be responsible for the future maintenance and upkeep of the play parks upon completion. Clanmil Housing Association has provided the land for the Bridge Street/Mount Crescent play ground.

Minister Ritchie said: "I am very happy to provide the funding for these projects and I hope they will be a great source of fun and enjoyment for families and young people in the area. They will provide much needed facilities for young children and families in the area and will help to enhance the local environment."

The work, which involves the provision of a brand new facility at Bridge Street/Mount Crescent and the upgrading and improvement of the existing facility at Marian Park, is due to commence within the next few weeks.

Welcoming the news the Chairman of Down District Council, Councillor Colin McGrath said: “Down District Council is very pleased to be working closely with local residents, with the Minister and her department, and with other relevant agencies to deliver these much needed new facilities in our area.”

Rita Rogan, Neighbourhood Partnership Chair explained: “Providing better play areas for our children is an important part of improving the quality of life for people living in the area, and this is one of the priorities we identified in our action plan for the Downpatrick Neighbourhood Renewal Area. A lot of work has gone into preparing plans for these new facilities and I would like to thank the Minister and her officials for providing funding.”

Alongside the investment in new play facilities, the Neighbourhood Partnership will also address local communities’ concerns over anti-social behaviour. A programme of activities for young people is planned and funding has been requested from the Community Safety Partnership.

The Minister concluded by paying tribute to all those involved in helping to develop the project: the Downpatrick Neighbourhood Renewal Partnership Board, Northern Ireland Housing Executive, Groundwork Northern Ireland, the East Down Community Network, Clanmil Housing and Down District Council. The Minister said: "There has been a massive amount of work devoted to these projects and they are a great example of what can be achieved through partnership working involving local and central Government and the voluntary and community sector."

Notes to Editors:

1. The Neighbourhood Renewal Strategy 'People and Place' which was published in June 2003, sets out Government’s proposals for closing the gap between the quality of life for people in the most deprived neighbourhoods and the rest of society.

The Neighbourhood Renewal Strategy has four interlinking strategic objectives:

• Community Renewal - to develop confident communities that are able and committed to improving the quality of life in their areas.
• Economic Renewal - to develop economic activity in the most deprived neighbourhoods and connect them to the wider urban economy.
• Social Renewal - to improve social conditions for the people who live in the most deprived neighbourhoods through better co-ordinated public services and the creation of safer environments.
• Physical Renewal - to help create attractive, safe and sustainable environments in the most deprived neighbourhoods.

2. The £258,000 Downpatrick Playgrounds scheme will be funded through the Neighbourhood Renewal Investment Fund which is making £233,000 available and Down District council who is providing £25,000. Down District Council will also manage the project and accept responsibility for the future maintenance and upkeep of the facilities. 3. Media enquiries to Helen Mulholland, DSD Information Office on 028 9082 9078. Out of office hours please contact the Duty Press Officer via pager number 07699 715 440 and your call will be returned.