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Date: 17 Apr 2025
Transformative PEACEPLUS plans for Alexandra Park and the Waterworks have been officially launched today following a visit by the Lord Mayor, government Ministers and the SEUPB, to the North Belfast site today.
Belfast City Council was awarded €13.5million PEACEPLUS funding to develop proposals to reconnect both parks in the north of the city - with the project funded under the ‘Re-imaging Communities’ strand of the PEACEPLUS programme.
Reconnected Belfast is supported by PEACEPLUS, a programme managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB).
The Reconnected Belfast project aims to reduce severance issues between communities living near both parks - created by physical barriers including interface barriers and road infrastructure.
This will entail developing the surrounding and internal infrastructure of both parks.
Communities Minister, Gordon Lyons, said: “I would like to congratulate Belfast City Council and its project partners, in securing €13.5m of PEACEPLUS funding for the Reconnected Belfast project.
“This project will bring communities together and enhance connectivity between the Waterworks and Alexandra Park, in North Belfast. It will reconnect the two parks, primarily with each other, but also to other surrounding parks, green spaces, the Belfast Hills and other parts of the city, creating a functional shared space.
“There are significant economic, social and environmental benefits related to the increased provision and use of open spaces and people can benefit greatly from being outdoors. My department wants to support actions that make a real, positive change, to the lives of communities, families and individuals and I am confident that the Reconnected Belfast Project and all that it offers, will deliver positive and long-lasting impacts for people of all ages and backgrounds.”
Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht, Dara Calleary TD, commented: "I would like to express my gratitude to all those who played a role in the advancement of the Reconnected Belfast project. This initiative has recently secured funding approval exceeding €13.5 million from the European Union's PEACEPLUS programme.
“I would like to express my appreciation to the lead partner, Belfast City Council, and the associate partner, the Department of Justice Northern Ireland, for their dedication and hard work in preparing the application, as well as their involvement in the implementation of the project. The Re-imaging Communities Investment Area aims to foster a more unified society by enhancing the availability of shared spaces and services, ultimately contributing to the promotion of peace and reconciliation.
“I am pleased that my Department of Rural and Community Development in collaboration with the Special EU Programmes Body and the Department for Communities in Northern Ireland, will extend support for this exceptional project. The successful execution of this initiative will yield long-term advantages for the region.”
SEUPB Chief Executive, Gina McIntyre, said: “This ambitious and transformative project promises to be another shining example, of capital investment in communities by the PEACE programmes. This investment demonstrates how shared civic spaces can act as beacons of hope within a community and become real catalysts for change and enhanced socio-economic environments.
“The aim with projects such as this is to bring people together and have them collaborate and engage with one another in a safe, inclusive and welcoming environment. This is crucial for building trust and understanding and for continuing to contribute to sustained peace and prosperity.”
Lord Mayor of Belfast, Councillor Micky Murray, said: “It’s an honour to officially launch our exciting Reconnected Belfast project plans today at Alexandra Park interface barrier, through the PEACEPLUS programme.
"Our vision for Belfast is to create community spaces where biodiversity thrives and residents from all communities are supported and can prosper through shared leisure and recreational activities.
“Our aim from Reconnected Belfast is to improve the areas between Alexandra Park and the Waterworks to bring communities together in welcoming, attractive and safe shared spaces.”
Reconnected Belfast proposals for both parks are for upgrades to entrances, pathways, lighting, signage, play parks, bridges and pitches. Refurbishment and essential safety work are also planned at the reservoirs in both parks.
New additions proposed for Waterworks Park include a new community space, a dog exercise area, a basketball court, an events space, toilets and a Changing Places facility. In Alexandra Park, proposed new facilities include a community events space, new pitch/covered space, bridges, toilets and a Changing Places facility.
A public consultation was carried out in January to March 2024 on design proposals for the Reconnected Belfast project. Information sessions were then held in February and March this year for people to view the plans after this consultation.
PEACEPLUS is a cross-border funding programme supported by the European Union, the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, the Government of Ireland and the Northern Ireland Executive.
For more information on the Reconnected Belfast project, visit www.belfastcity.gov.uk/PEACEPLUS and www.belfastcity.gov.uk/reconnectedbelfast
Further details on PEACEPLUS are available at https://www.seupb.eu/peaceplus