Refresh for Stoneyford Village

August 12, 2019

Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council has been working in partnership with the local Stoneyford community to freshen up their village including the addition of new outdoor gym equipment at the children’s play park.

The council is pleased to have supported the development of the scheme, which was delivered with further funding support from the NI Rural Development Programme through Lagan Rural Partnership.

In 2016 Stoneyford was shortlisted as one of five villages to receive funding through the Northern Ireland Rural Development Programme: Rural Village Renewal Scheme.  The council agreed to provide the remaining funding required to assist the delivery of the project.

The scheme focused on improving the quality of the village environment for residents of Stoneyford and their families. It included streetscape improvements and a freshening up of the arterial route through the village through the installation of ornamental floral display baskets. During the initial consultations residents talked fondly of how the name for the village came from the original stone wall on the bridge at the heart of the village, and the natural stone was restored on the bridge as part of the scheme.

The installation of adult multi gym equipment in the existing play park has been a great success and villagers enjoy the many benefits of exercising outdoors.

Alderman Allan Ewart MBE, Chair of the Council’s Development Committee and Chair of Lagan Rural Partnership, said: “The regeneration of our villages is important and I am delighted that elements of the history of the village have been included in this modernisation scheme.  The village looks fresh and inviting and the introduction of adult gym equipment in the children’s play park has made this a shared space for all. I recognise the economic benefits such a scheme can have in a small rural community and it contributes to a cohesive and inclusive rural community.”