Ritchie announces half a million pound play park for Westrock

Children from the Upper Springfield area can now enjoy a new, safe, play park thanks mainly to funding by the Department for Social Development.

Tomorrow will see the handing over of the new £500,000 state-of-the-art play park at Brittan’s Parade to the Whiterock/Westrock Residents' Association.

Welcoming the completion of the play park the Minister for Social Development said: “This is good news for mums and dads and children in the Whiterock area. I am delighted that my department has been able to fund this. It was specifically identified as a community need in the Upper Springfield/Whiterock Action Plan. The new park is a shining example of what can be achieved when government works in partnership with the local community. I am keen to see much more of this partnership in the future. It is good to see this project come to fruition and I congratulate all who have worked hard to make it a reality.”

Commenting on the importance of play in children’s development the minister said: “Play is an integral part of building citizenship from a young age. It is where lessons of fairness, comradeship and team building are learned. Sport is also important for promoting active and healthy lifestyles at a time when the contribution of exercise to quality of life and health is being increasingly recognised.”

The play park is a DSD Neighbourhood Renewal project in the area. Other funders include Creating Common Ground, Children in Need and Lloyds TSB. Belfast City Council provided the professional services to deliver the project and will also maintain the play area.

Notes to Editors:

1. The total cost of the play park was £487,820.
2. The Department for Social Development’s Action Plan Programme the Belfast Regeneration Office provided £361,317 funding to the Whiterock/Westrock Residents' Association.
3. Other funders include Creating Common Ground (£50,000), Children in Need (£24,000), and Lloyds TSB (£5,000). Belfast City Council provided professional services costed at £47,503 and will also maintain the play area. The land on which the play park is built has been leased to the Residents' Association by the Gaelic Athletic Association.
4. For further information, please contact DSD Information Office on 028 9082 9490.