£50,000 for new play area in Ballynahinch

£50,000 for new play area in Ballynahinch

21 November 2012

A NEW £50,000 play park is to be provided at the Langley Road estate in Ballynahinch.

The cash for the project has been secured from the landfill tax scheme which is administered by the Ulster Wildlife Trust in Crossgar. Down Council has agreed to maintain the new facility after it is constructed.

Confirmation of the £50,000 investment has been welcomed by Strangford MP Jim Shannon and Simon Hamilton MLA. Mr. Shannon said the Langley Road community group has a “real passion to see change in the area” and has no doubt the new play park will make a major difference to the Ballynahinch estate.

“I wholeheartedly commend everyone who worked so hard on this project. They are now starting to see the fruits of their labour; well done to all involved. The local community will benefit greatly from this new play park,” added Mr. Shannon.

Mr. Hamilton described the award of the grant money as “great news for Ballynahinch and the Langley Road in particular.” He said the provision of a new play park in the estate for its young children was something residents were really keen on delivering.

“The existing play park had seen better days and the equipment wasn’t appropriate for toddlers and young children,” he said.

“Along with the MP, myself and other colleagues, including councillor Garth Craig, we have been working hard alongside the Langley community group to source funding, complete application forms and work with other stakeholders to develop the idea and I’m so pleased our collective efforts have been successful.”

Councillor Craig said the new play park will address a specific need in the three to 10 age bracket, help regenerate the Langley area and give local people a pride in their estate. He said the play park will look so much more appealing than the present run-down facility.

Mr. Andy Steenson, chairman of the Langley Road community group, has thanked all those who worked on the new play park project. He said he has no doubt it will be extremely well used.

Mr. Steenson added: “I would like to thank DUP politicians for their efforts. Without their help and support, delivering this project would not have been possible. What the community group has helped achieved also highlights what can be delivered when it works in partnership with others.