Social Development Minister, Margaret Ritchie was in Downpatrick to officially launch the play park. The project involved the replacement of outdated and rundown equipment with new state of the art facilities.
Margaret Ritchie said: “This project brings me back to my childhood in Downpatrick and I hope the children of the area will have many happy days of activity using this excellent facility.
“It will reclaim the area for the children of the estate, and along with other proposed programmes it will reduce the level of anti-social behaviour and vandalism in the vicinity.
“This new play park will create a sense of pride and identity within the area and introduce young people to healthy activities that will contribute to the promotion of good health and well being in formative early years.”
A range of environmental improvements which will be completed later on this year, on a grassed bank at the entrance to the estate, will compliment the new play park.
Margaret Ritchie concluded: “I am committed to tackling disadvantage in all our neighbourhoods. I want to ensure the provision of a safe environment for children to play free from harm. This new play park will provide that facility for them and I would like to pay tribute to all those involved in making it happen especially Down District Council and the Downpatrick Neighbourhood Partnership.”
The play park is one of two new play parks which are being provided in Downpatrick with funding of £228,000 from DSD through the Neighbourhood Renewal Investment Fund and £25,000 from Down District Council. Work on the second, at Church View, is expected to commence shortly.
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. In the last financial year the Department for Social Development has spent over £542,000 on a range of projects in the Downpatrick Neighbourhood Renewal Area.
3. News Media enquiries to DSD Information Office on 028 9082 9078. Out of office please contact the Duty Press Officer via pager number 07699715440 and your call will be returned.
