List of parks and gardens in Belfast

Belfast has over forty public parks. "The Forest of Belfast" is a partnership between government and local groups, set up in 1992 to manage and conserve the city's parks and open spaces. They have also commissioned more than 30 public sculptures since 1993. [cite web | title = Forest of Belfast | publisher = Belfast City Council | url = http://www.belfastcity.gov.uk/parksandopenspaces/forestofbelfast.asp?menuitem=forest | accessdate = 2007-05-18] In 2006, the City Council also set aside GB£8 million to continue this work. [cite web | title = Your City, Your Space | publisher = Belfast City Council | url = http://www.belfastcity.gov.uk/parksandopenspaces/openspacestrategy.asp?menuitem=yourcity | accessdate = 2007-05-18] The Belfast Naturalists' Field Club was founded in 1863 and is administered by National Museums and Galleries of Northern Ireland. [cite web | title = About the Field Club | publisher = Belfast Naturalists' Field Club | url = http://www.habitas.org.uk/bnfc/about.html | accessdate = 2007-05-18]

One of the most popular parkscite web | title = Botanic Gardens | publisher = Belfast City Council | url = http://www.belfastcity.gov.uk/parksandopenspaces/parksdetails.asp?id=54 | accessdate = 2007-05-18] is Botanic Gardens in the Queen's Quarter. Built in the 1830s and designed by Sir Charles Lanyon, Botanic Gardens "Palm House" is one of the earliest examples of a curvilinear and cast iron glasshouse. [cite web | title = Palm House Botanic Gardens, Belfast City | publisher = Houses, Castles and Gardens of Ireland | url = http://www.gardensireland.com/palm-house.html | accessdate = 2007-05-18] Attractions in the park also include the "Tropical Ravine", a humid jungle glen built in 1889, rose gardens and public events ranging from live opera broadcasts to pop concerts. U2 played here in 1997 and the Tennents Vital festival takes place in the gardens each summer.

Sir Thomas and Lady Dixon Park, to the south of the city centre, attracts thousands of visitors each year to its International Rose Garden.cite web | title = Sir Thomas and Lady Dixon Park and City of Belfast International Rose Garden | publisher = Go To Belfast | url = http://www.gotobelfast.com/thingstodo/viewdetail.cfm/TDVenue_Key/421/level/page/category_key/197/Page_Key/279/parent_key/0/type/Page/PaGeName/Restaurant_Month.htm | accessdate = 2007-05-18] "Rose Week" in July each year boasts over 20,000 blooms. [cite web | title = Sir Thomas and Lady Dixon Park | work = Discover Northern Ireland | publisher = Northern Ireland Tourist Board | url = http://www.discovernorthernireland.com/product.aspx?ProductID=2795 | accessdate = 2007-05-18] It has an area of 128 acres of meadows, woodland and gardens and also features a Princess Diana Memorial Garden, a Japanese Garden, a walled garden, and the Golden Crown Fountain commissioned in 2002 as part of the Queen’s Golden Jubilee celebrations.

Woodvale Park is traditional City Park, which provides a range of passive and active recreation. The main facilities include Bowling Greens, Soccer pitches, a Kick about area and Play area. A network of paths through rolling lawns, shrubs borders and mature trees link these facilities. Historically Woodvale Park has been one of the main parks for the 26,000 people who make up the Greater Shankill area, due to regeneration in the area the population is increasing.

History

Woodvale Park became Belfast’s fourth public park when it opened in 1888. The land was bought by Belfast Corporation from Reverend Glover. He had lived in a house called Woodville that once stood in the park. The park was due to be called Shankill Park, but the name was changed to Woodvale at the last minute. The opening was set for 3.00pm on Saturday 18 August 1888. By 3.35pm the dignitaries had not turned up and so one of the rangers took the key admit the large crowd. The park included a large pond, which was used by local people in wintertime for skating. Cricket was first played in the park in1894, although the authorities were wary of possible injury to other park users. The pond was filled in after the Second World War and a children’s playground established in its place.

The following is a list of parks and gardens in Belfast, Northern Ireland:

* Alexandra Park
* Alderman Tommy Patton Memorial Park
* Belfast Castle
* Barnett Demesne
* Belmont Park
* Botanic Gardens
* Carr's Glen Linear Park
* Clement Wilson Park
* Cave Hill Country Park
* Belfast City Hall
* Carnanmore Park
* Clarawood Millennium Park
* Dr Pitt Memorial Park
* Dover Street Millennium Park
* Dunville Park
* Drumglass Park
* Falls Park
* Finlay Park
* Forthriver Park
* Grovelands Park
* Glenbank Park
* Greenville Park
* Gasworks
* Giant's Ring
* Giant's Park
* Glencairn Park
* King William Park
* Knocknagoney Linear Park
* Lagan Meadows
* Ligoniel Park
* Loughside Park
* Lenadoon Millennium Park
* Michelle Baird Memorial Park
* Marrowbone Millennium Park
* Musgrave Park
* Northwood Linear Park
* Ormeau Park
* Orangefield Park
* Sir Thomas and Lady Dixon Park
* Springhill Millennium Park
* Springfield Park
* Victoria Park
* Waterworks
* Woodvale Park
* Wedderburn Park

ee also

List of parks in Northern Ireland

References

External links

[http://www.belfastcity.gov.uk/parksandopenspaces/index.asp?menuitem=introduction Belfast City Council - Parks and open spaces]