The new Dunleath Urban Sports Park in Downpatrick, County Down, has been completed and is now officially open to the public.

Delivered by Newry, Mourne and Down District Council in partnership with the Department for Communities, the £439,000 project has transformed part of Dunleath Park into a dedicated facility for wheeled sports.

The development includes an 80-metre pump track with banked turns and undulations, as well as a 400m² skatepark featuring ramps, grind rails and trick elements. Designed to accommodate a wide range of users aged eight and over, the park provides a purpose-built space for cycling, skateboarding, scootering and BMX riding.

Welcoming the completion of the project, Northern Ireland Communities Minister Gordon Lyons said: "I am pleased that my Department has been able to support the redevelopment of Dunleath Urban Sports Park. This investment has delivered a high-quality space that will promote health and wellbeing, encourage active lifestyles, and draw more people into Downpatrick town centre. It’s a project that will deliver long-lasting benefits for the whole community."

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The significant investment forms part of the wider regeneration of Downpatrick, designed to attract visitors, strengthen links with the town centre and nearby Downpatrick Leisure Centre, and encourage healthier, more active lifestyles.

The project was identified as a priority through the Downpatrick Living High Streets initiative and championed by the Downpatrick Regeneration Working Group. Together, these partners have ensured the new Urban Sports Park reflects community needs whilst contributing to the ongoing regeneration of the town.

Mal McGrady Chair of the Downpatrick Regeneration Working Group, commented: "The opening of Dunleath Urban Sports Park marks an important milestone in our efforts to revitalise Downpatrick. It not only provides young people with a safe and inclusive space to enjoy but also strengthens the town centre, helping to build a more connected community."