Ward Park

Ward Park is situated in Bangor, County Down, Northern Ireland. There is such a variety of attractions packed into 37 beautifully kept acres that Ward Park has been one of the most highly regarded town parks in Ireland for decades.

In the centre of Bangor you can encounter exotic wildlife by feeding the hundreds of ducks and geese waddling around its ponds or enjoy a game of bowls on its manicured greens, play tennis on its choice of 10 courts, or get together for a round of putting on its challenging little course. The park is renowned for its collection of wildfowl, some of them housed in breeding pens at the edge of the main pond.

Identification panels describe the huge variety of ducks which thrive on the necklace of little lakes and islands stretching through the park. A mini-menagerie of fancy poultry, peacocks and pheasants live in a caged area near the newly refurbushed enclosed playground. Colourful budgies and finches fly free within its aviaries.

The formal gardens near the War Memorial are ablaze with colourful bedding plants and climbing roses in summer. There's no better place in Bangor to relax and unwind in tranquil surroundings and only a few minutes walk from the town centre.

Ward park is accessible at all times, especially for people with disabilities.Entrances are at Castle Street, near Bangor Hospital and at Hamilton Road alongside Carnegie Library (under refurbishment, soon to re-open) and Bangor Art Studio. Car Parking is available at Park Drive, and Broadway by the hockey pitches. Sports facilities are open Easter - October 7 days a week.

On the 1 September, 2007, the Northern Irish band Snow Patrol performed a special gig at Wark park to a crowd of 30000 people, supported by Ash and We Are Scientists and various other smaller bands.