Belfast City Council is planning a community consultation on extending park hours for Falls, Woodvale, and Ormeau Parks, with the possibility of 24-hour access. Residents are calling for Botanic Gardens to be included in the pilot program.
Residents in South Belfast are calling for Botanic Gardens to be included in a pilot program exploring 24-hour opening hours for public parks across the city. Belfast City Council is planning a community consultation on extended park hours for Falls, Woodvale, and Ormeau Park s, with the possibility of 24-hour access.
At a recent full council meeting, councillors representing the Botanic District Electoral Area successfully advocated for the inclusion of Botanic Gardens in the consultation process. Consultations and engagement plans for the proposed pilot program will be developed over the summer and implemented in the autumn of this year. This initiative follows ongoing discussions about expanding park access and the potential benefits of 24-hour operation. Sinn Féin Councillor Claire Canavan welcomed the consultation on the Forth Meadow Greenway, emphasizing the importance of gathering input from residents, particularly those residing near the parks and green spaces. She highlighted the need for diverse engagement methods to ensure inclusivity, mentioning the distribution of leaflets to reach individuals who may not have online access. Councillor Canavan expressed satisfaction with the positive response to the consultation so far.Sinn Féin Councillor Conor McKay, who received requests from the Stranmillis Neighbourhood Association, strongly supported including Botanic Gardens in the consultation. He emphasized the park's crucial role as a vital transportation link between areas like the Ormeau Road, Lisburn Road, University, and PEC. He argued that exploring extended hours for Botanic Gardens would be a missed opportunity. Green Councillor Áine Groogan seconded Councillor McKay's proposal, emphasizing the need for consistent park access to complement investments in active travel infrastructure. She drew parallels with Central Park in New York City, which operates 24/7, suggesting that Belfast could achieve similar success with a bit of creativity. She also stressed the importance of considering the ecological and biodiversity impacts of extended lighting.
BOTANIC GARDENS BELFAST PUBLIC PARKS 24-HOUR OPENING COMMUNITY CONSULTATION FALLS PARK WOODVALE PARK ORMEAU PARK ACTIVE TRAVEL SUSTAINABILITY
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