St Columb's Park in L'Derry has been successfully upgraded with a new Walled Garden area.

The development, located to the rear of St Columb's Park House, will serve as a shared space for the community.

Contractor Willie Doherty Construction completed the restoration project under the PEACE IV Programme with funding support from the Executive Office in Northern Ireland and the Department of Rural and Community Development in Ireland.

The finished project included clearing the site, laying out the historic path network and the rebuilding and restoring of the Walled Garden enclosure.

It is identified as a priority in Derry City and Strabane District Council's Parks Development Programme and the Strategic Growth Plan that commits to protect and promote natural and built heritage assets and develop local parks and green spaces.

Unveiling the new space, Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council, Councillor Michaela Boyle said: "I am proud to officially open this beautiful new outdoor space which is a key element of the wider St Columb's Park Regeneration Plan.

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"The Walled Garden enhances the Park's historic, cultural and landscape amenity and will crucially create a shared space that will benefit the entire community.

"Congratulations to all the project stakeholders from Council, St Columb's Park House and the Acorn Fund for their collaborative work in bringing this project to fruition."

Welcoming the official opening, Gina McIntyre, CEO of the SEUPB, added: "Peace IV funded shared space projects, like the one we are celebrating here today, are being supported across Northern Ireland and the Border Region of Ireland. The EU's PEACE IV Programme has approved funding for a number of large-scale standalone projects across the region as well as a larger number of smaller-scale projects through local authorities. 

"Upon completion, each one will provide a space for the local community people to mix with a shared purpose. Working together offers an opportunity to challenge some of the misconceptions and prejudices that have arisen consciously and also unconsciously. Every small step helps us move forward as a tolerant, peaceful and forward-thinking society which is willing to embrace diversity."

Alison Wallace, Chair of the PEACE IV Board, added: "The Walled Garden is one of our key Shared Space projects under our PEACE IV local action plan.

"The PEACE IV Board are thrilled to see it officially opened and would encourage people to visit or sign up for the ongoing cross-community programme now being rolled out in the park. Since the opening of the Peace Bridge, and with the ongoing regeneration of the Ebrington site, St Columb's Park has been increasingly enjoyed by all our communities.

"Extending public places where people socialise together, like this Walled Garden, is very much part of peace. The project is not only restoring heritage – it's restoring hope."

The project was delivered in close collaboration between the Council, St Columb's Park House and the Acorn Fund.

(CM/MH)