‘Milestone for community’ as new £500k park opens

‘Milestone for community’ as new £500k park opens

20 August 2025

DOWNPATRICK’S new £500,000 urban sports park has opened and is already being hailed a major success.

The ultra-modern facility features a pump track for cyclists and a skateboard park and is located at Dunleath Park and been described as a “cutting edge facility”.

The investment in an 80-metre pump track, incorporating a dynamic series of banked turns and undulations — alongside a state-of-the-art 400 square metre skatepark — has been provided by the Department for Communities and Newry, Mourne and Down Council.

The skatepark, which has been constructed by civil engineering and construction firm CivCo Ltd, includes ramps and grind rails as trick features, offering an exciting and modern space for urban sports enthusiasts of all ages and skill levels.

The government department is providing just over £439,032.28, with the local authority chipping in with just over £74,500, with the combined £513,559 investment aiming to deliver state-of-the-art facilities to Downpatrick, designed to enhance community health and wellbeing while revitalising the local area.

There are also plans to transform the current shale sports pitch at Dunleath into an ultra-modern 3G facility, with the 7.km walking track around the perimeter of the park proving hugely popular and the base for the weekly Saturday morning parkrun.

And there are calls this week for active consideration for tennis courts and a running track at this part of the town.

Downpatrick councillors Oonagh Hanlon, Philip Campbell and Gareth Sharvin have welcomed the opening of the new park, hailing it as a “milestone for the local community”.

Cllr Hanlon said the project has been “years in the making” and it’s fantastic to now see it come to life.

“This is a testament to our work with the Department for Communities, Newry, Mourne and Down Council and the Downpatrick Regeneration Group,” she said.

“The park and track are brilliant facilities that will provide our young people, and those of all ages, with a safe, modern, and exciting space to explore and enjoy urban sports”.

Cllr Hanlon said the park is testament to what can be achieved when young people are heard and supported, insisting that Sinn Fein will continue to champion their voices and work hard to ensure projects such as Dunleath Park are prioritised and delivered for the Downpatrick community.

Cllr Campbell described the urban sports park facilities as “top class” and will be a great benefit to the community.

“We want to thank everyone who has played a part in delivering this project. particularly the young people who have engaged positively throughout the process,” he added

Both councillors say the urban sports track is just one part of their broader commitment to rejuvenating and investing in Downpatrick.

Cllr Sharvin, who started the debate for investment to redevelop Dunleath Park in 2021, said it has been a long process that has seen the introduction of three new sports during that time.

“There is a running and walking trail around Dunleath which is well utilised trail by the local Parkrun every Saturday, with well over 10,000 people taking part, not including those using it daily,” he said.

“Cycling Ireland have set up a base at Dunleath and host workshops throughout the year and it’s fantastic that the new skatepark and pump track has opened with over £500,000 investment.”

Cllr Sharvin added: “It’s fantastic to see so many benefiting from this investment and a welcome boost to the town centre. But we can’t just stop there. We need to look at 4G training facilities, tennis courts and a running track in the local area.”

The new sports facility borders Thomas Russell Park and the Ballydugan Road industrial estate and stretches as far back as housing developments at the Vianstown Road.

Local politicians and the Downpatrick Regeneration Working Group want to see Dunleath’s significant development potential fully utilised, with a working group established to help oversee the park’s development.

Stormont communities minister, Gordon Lyons, said his department was pleased to provide significant funding for the Dunleath Park development.

He said the exciting addition to the sporting landscape of Downpatrick will provide a dynamic new space that supports health, community and economic growth in the area.