Ward Park ...a new vision

WARD PARK UPDATE

January 2025

Exciting upgrades have already commenced, with further major works set to begin in winter 2025!

Based on public feedback, here’s what’s planned for March 2025:

New Play Park and Sensory Garden

The current Play Park (outside the Library) will be relocated to the tennis court area and upgraded with a £250k investment, including a basketball feature.

The Old Play Park space will be transformed into a Demtia-friendly Sensory Garden, featuring:-

Sensory planting
Water feature
Seating areas & accessible paths
Sculptures & fruit trees

Secure Cycle Rack – A much-requested addition! Designs are being reviewed, and it will be installed near the new Play Park.

Basketball Hoop – Due to high demand, a basketball area will be included in the new Play Park.

Orchard – A small orchard and fruit trees will be planted, including in the new Dementia-Friendly Sensory Garden.

Tennis Court Repairs – Funding has been secured to repair 4 of the 6 courts.

Stay Updated:

Follow https://www.facebook.com/bangorbythesea. Your Go-To Source for Bangor’s Big News, Without the Noise!

Stay informed on developments, regeneration, and local updates,

"no Clutter, just the facts"!

Despite inclement weather, the critical work to restore the pond's ecosystem continues

.

DESILTING BEGINS AT WARD PARK POND,

BUT FULL ENVIRONMENTAL SCHEME AWAITS FUNDING COMMITMENT

Ward Park is one of our Borough’s most attractive assets, popular with residents and visitors of all ages. The Environmental Improvement Scheme aspires to largely retain the traditional landscape and recreational benefits of the park, while sympathetically creating a modern park environment that will enhance biodiversity and help safeguard the park for future generations.

The scheme aims to:

• Improve the current pond structure.
• Provide a modern approach to the management of wildfowl and waterfowl.
• Retain historical features, while improving the built environment/ infrastructure.
• Create educational and play opportunities.
• Promote biodiversity.
• Help safeguard the Park for future generations.

The scheme also aims to resolve the problem of silt build-up in the ponds and to mitigate against this recurring. Desilting (or dredging) of the ponds is the first phase of work for the scheme.

Desilting work has commenced The works will take approximately 8 weeks to complete.

Following the completion of the desilting works, we look forward to progressing the other elements of the Environmental Improvement Scheme. It is currently anticipated that this will begin in the winter of 2024/5.

We will provide updates through this page and our Facebook Page.

YOU HAVE TO SEE THIS ...Open House Festival run events all summer long in Bangor's town centre Ward Park ...this is a just a sample of the summer programe!!

Summer Sunday's at Ward Park 2016

Castle Park: Located in Bangor town centre

A walk through this wooded wonderland is an exhilarating experience throughout the seasons. Obtain the Castle Park Nature Trail Guide from North Down Museum, located in the grounds of Castle Park with Bangor Castle (Town Hall), and follow the arrowed pathways.

Stroll along the tree-lined avenue to explore the formal gardens of the Town Hall. Examine the sundial in the forecourt, believed to be from the 8th Century monastic origin and explore the Arboretum on the south side of the Town Hall, which contains a fine collection of mature conifers and deciduous trees.

Follow the pathways through Castle Park to arrive at Bangor Castle Walled Garden, a real hidden gem.

Bangor is fortunate to have two unique town centre parks and playing fields.

Bangor Castle (Town Hall) at night

War memorial at Ward Park

Lawn bowlers at Ward Park

The duck pond at Ward Park

The War Memorial and German U-boat gun at base