New community garden opens in Ballystrudder

Located beside Willowvale housing development, the garden includes a path network, new boundary fence treatments, landscaping, tree planting and the installation of seating.

It is hoped the space will be visually appealing for people of all ages and abilities while providing better access from the Willowvale development.

Speaking at the official opening, Mayor of Mid and East Antrim, Councillor Peter Johnston said: “Ballystrudder is the latest village to benefit from 18 village renewal projects across the borough.

“The new garden is a great outdoor space for the local community to enjoy. It will enhance the leisure and recreational offering in the area at a time where the outdoors have become so important for many of us.

“The new community garden is a fine example of village renewal in action and is one example of how the Rural Development Programme is working to leave a lasting legacy within our rural areas. This facility will no doubt serve the local community well for many years to come and I look forward to seeing it being put to good use.”

Mid and East Antrim Borough Council have been developing the Village Renewal Programme over the past two years, and 18 villages in total will benefit from £2.5 million of funding.

This project was part funded under Priority 6 (LEADER) of the Northern Ireland Rural Development Programme 2014-2020 by the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs and the European Union.