THE vision of a sport, well-being and playpark space in one of Downpatrick’s most deprived estates has been unveiled.
Plans have been drawn up for the facility at the Meadowlands estate and on Monday night they were outlined to Down councillors..
Ann Grant, from Down Rural Community Network, said a survey of residents showed they wanted to see better use of the green field areas of the estate. They particularly hoped for a new children’s playpark and facilities for older children such as basketball nets.
Ms. Grant said 34 per cent of the residents were interested in volunteering to help improve their area, where problems of speeding vehicles, alcohol and drug abuse had been experienced.
“The vision would be a sport, well-being and play space for the community in Meadowlands, Stream Street, Marian Park and Bridge Street,” said Ms. Grant.
Details and proposed costings were not outlined at Monday’s meeting. However, as the Meadowlands is considered a Neighbourhood Renewal area, Ms. Grant asked to council to make a funding application to the Department for Social Development.
Councillor Liam Johnston commended Ms. Grant’s work in what he described as a “very deprived area” and councillor Willie Clarke described it as “a very, very worthwhile project”.
Councillor Terry Andrews said he had been moved by a letter to local representatives from two children in the Meadowlands appealing for a play park.
Councillor Billy Walker said: “Two to three years ago even the PSNI would not go into Meadowlands. The community were not engaging.
“Coming through the likes of the CSP people in open groups started to engage. Ann and her team have put in a tremendous amount of work into that and bringing the people of the Meadowlands along with us.”
Patrick McCluskey, the council’s Sport and Community Development Manager said the opening up of facilities to other communities in Downpatrick was the “exciting” part of the project.
“This is a shared space statement,” he said. “We want to share this space that is ripe for development.”