Ritchie cuts first sod on new £160,000 playground in Downpatrick

Children in the Bridge Street and Mount Crescent areas of Downpatrick will soon be able to enjoy the benefits of a brand new playground.

Social Development Minister, Margaret Ritchie performed a sod cutting ceremony to mark the start of work on the £160,000 facility funded by her Department and Down District Council

Margaret Ritchie said: “This new play park will not only provide a much needed source of fun and enjoyment for young people and families of the area, but will also enhance the local environment. I welcome that I have been able to part fund this very worthwhile project.

“Play is an integral part of building social skills from a young age. It is where lessons of fairness, comradeship and team building are learnt. It is also important for promoting active and healthy lifestyles in children. These new play parks are therefore good news for residents, parents and children in this area of the town. I hope they will be used and enjoyed by all local residents, thereby enhancing their quality of life.”

Chairman of Down District Council, Councillor William Dick stated: "Down District Council is delighted to be working with the DSD Minister Margaret Ritchie and her department, local residents, community representatives and other agencies to deliver what will be first class play facilities for the children and young people of Bridge Street and Mount Crescent. I look forward to the completion of this project which will undoubtedly improve the quality of life for the area's young residents."

Paying tribute to all those involved Margaret Ritchie continued: “The project is an excellent example of what can be achieved through partnership involving local and central Government and the voluntary and community sector, working on a cross community basis to bring about improvements for the benefit of the entire community.”

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.
2. 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.
3. The play park at Mount Crescent is part of an overall £253,000 Downpatrick Playgrounds scheme funded through the Neighbourhood Renewal Investment Fund which is making £233,000 available and Down District Council who is providing £20,000. Down District Council will also manage the project and accept responsibility for the future maintenance and upkeep of the facilities.
4. 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.