Two play parks in Newtownabbey have secured overall funding of over £850,000 to deliver major refurbishments.

Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council approved the investment to upgrade the Lilian Bland Community Park in Glengormley, and the Play Park in Rathcoole.

Lilian Bland Community Park will utilise funds of over £450,000 to extend the park, shuffle some of the play equipment around, and add a variety of new features. A new airplane themed attraction, wheelchair swing and accessible play equipment will be implemented in the park. The project also features a new basketball area and the relocation of the existing MUGA to the current tennis courts. 

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The park is named after Lilian Bland who was the first woman to build and fly a plane in the UK and Ireland in 1910. The airplane sculpture, featured in the park in her honour, will be relocated with new airport runway landscaping, to highlight the sculpture.

The Play Park in Rathcoole will also be extended and new play equipment installed including wheelchair swing and accessible play equipment. This £400,000 project will include the installation of new safety surfacing, fencing and street furniture.

Mayor of Antrim and Newtownabbey, Councillor Paul Michael said: "I am proud to support these two new projects. These parks are at the heart of our communities and provide a valuable resource for everyone, especially our young people. The upgrades and refurbishments will encourage our children to be active outdoors, play together and most importantly, the changes will ensure access for all."

Both projects will begin in March 2019 and be completed by this summer.  

(CM/MH)