HomeLandscape planning projects
Here are some of the projects our landscape planning team have been involved in:Nubia Street
Our landscape planning team designed and project-managed the construction of a new community facility at Nubia Street, south Belfast, in summer 2008. This former paramilitary memorial garden was transformed into a toddlers' playground and multi-use games area for older children. It now provides a focus for local children in a neighbourhood lacking in recreational space.
The project was developed over two years, together with the Greater Village Regeneration Trust, the local community and the Department of Social Development.
Development was due to funding from the Belfast Regeneration Office and our other partners were the Northern Ireland Housing Executive, the Belfast Education and Library Board and Groundwork Northern Ireland.
Completed - Summer 2008
Cost - £90,000
Grove Health and Wellbeing Playground
This children’s play facility at Grove Playing Fields is adjacent to Grove Wellbeing Centre, a 'one-stop shop' for health, leisure and lifelong learning in north Belfast Like the centre, the playground is themed around improving health and wellbeing and it provides opportunities for energetic play.
The modern equipment includes an interactive I-Play unit, one of the first of its kind in Northern Ireland, and a skateboard simulator. Bright, geometric patterns form the playground’s safety surfacing and the customised boundary fencing incorporates a heartbeat logo.
The facility is now enjoyed by both parents and children, thanks to its challenging play environment and surrounding parkland.
The project was funded by the Urban II Community initiative.
Completed - Autumn 2008
Cost - £240,000
Blythefield multi-use games area
Our landscape planning team helped with the design and project delivery of this new multi-use facility at Blythefield open space, near Sandy Row in south Belfast. The new area, which also includes changing facilities, provides a valuable resource for the local community which includes several schools, youth clubs and sports clubs.
It includes a large polymeric sports surface, set out as a seven-a-side soccer pitch and marked as two five-a-side pitches across its width, and two basketball courts. The games area is enclosed by rigid ballstop fencing (which is six metres high) and new floodlights.
Belfast Regeneration Office provided funding for the project. Our other partners were the Sandy Row Community Forum and design consultants RPS Consulting and Consarc.
Completed - Autumn 2009
Cost - £760,000
King William Park
The environmental improvements to this small urban park included
new paving, lighting and planting, as well as a piece of public art. The Belfast Wheel (a bronze map of Belfast) was designed by 12 local community groups.
Each group provided a design for a segment of the wheel that represented their home district.
It was given to the park by the New Belfast Community Arts Initiative in June 2005.
The project was funded by the council's Brighter Belfast scheme in association with local community groups.
Cost - around £77,000
Pat O’Hir Park
This new playground and multi-use games area is located in Britton's Parade near Whiterock in west Belfast. Formerly a derelict piece of land, it now includes a large polymeric sports surface set out as a five-a-side soccer pitch, as well as a basketball court. The playing surface is enclosed with a specialised rebound system complete with spectator areas, goal units, basketball hoops and floodlights.
The site also includes a children’s playground with colourful safety surfacing, barbecue area, grass areas and visitor seating.
The area was planned and designed in partnership with Whiterock/Westrock Residents' Association who secured funding from Belfast Regeneration Office, Children in Need, the Creating Common Ground Consortium and Lloyds TSB for the park.
Completed - Summer 2008
Cost - £480,000
Belfast City Hall courtyard
Our landscape planning team designed and project-managed the refurbishment of the courtyard of Belfast City Hall in summer 2009.The focal point of the scheme was the installation of a memorial water fountain, dedicated to council employees who lost their lives during the Troubles. Other environmental improvements included the resurfacing of the central area using granite setts and kerbs, the refurbishment of the existing entrance gates, the construction of a new Portland stone pedestrian ramp and the planting of semi-mature trees.
Bin storage areas were screened off using Portland stone walling and new courtyard lighting was also installed.
The scheme was designed together with council staff and their families, as well as trade union representatives and the Environment and Heritage Service.
Completed - Summer 2009
Cost - £350,000
