Ormeau Park

Ormeau Park is popular with walkers and joggers. There are eco trails, orienteering routes and a children's playground. Ormeau Park Playing Fields facilities include soccer pitches, two bowling greens and pavilions, a BMX track, basketball, tennis and netball courts. We have installed public access defibrillators for park users.

History of Ormeau Park

Ormeau Park was originally home to the Donegall family. They moved to the park in 1807, setting up home in Ormeau Cottage. The second Marquis of Donegall extended the building and lived there until his death in 1844. When the family's debts continued to grow, they were forced to sell their estate to the Belfast Corporation, in 1869.

Ormeau Park was opened to the public in 1871, making it the oldest municipal park in the city. The opening was marked with a parade from Carlisle Circus. The public were encouraged to submit their ideas for designing 100 acres of the site. The competition was won by Timothy Hevey, a 24-year-old architect from Belfast. His design can still be seen in the park today.

Getting to Ormeau Park

You can enter the park at Ormeau Road, Ormeau Embankment, Park Road or Ravenhill Road entrances. 

Take Metro bus number 7 A-D from Belfast city centre and get off outside the park, or plan your journey with Translink (link opens in new window).

Green Flag awards

Ormeau Park has been awarded the Green Flag Award every year from 2011 to 2022. This award recognises the best open spaces in the UK.

BMX track

The purpose-built gravel BMX track has a good selection of jumps and whoops. We don't allow motorised or electric vehicles on this track.

Belfast City BMX Club

The club has reserved the track for their activities on:

• Thursdays from 6.30pm to 8pm
• Saturdays from 10.30am to 12 noon

When the club is using the track, there will be limited space available to casual track users. However, the club welcomes children to integrate their track activities during these times.

Mobility scooters

The park has electric mobility scooters for use by Shopmobility members. You must show your membership card before hiring a scooter. You can collect a scooter from Ormeau Park bowling green on Park Road. To contact Shopmobility, call 028 9080 8090.

Other attractions in Ormeau Park

The park has horticultural displays, woodland and wildlife.

We run a Saturday Club as part of our 'Watch This Space' scheme on alternate Saturdays in the park's bowling pavilion.

Chess table

Ormeau Park has a chess table outdoors that's suitable for beginners and experienced players. It is free to play. Chess pieces are available from the park's coffee vendor.

Park events

To find out what events and activities are on in our parks, go to Park events.

Parkrun

Ormeau Park hosts a 5km parkrun every Saturday at 9.30am and a 2km junior parkrun every Sunday at 9.30am.

Disposable barbecues

You cannot use a disposable barbecue in our parks.

Park opening times

Our parks open at 7.30am every day. Closing times change as daylight lengthens or shortens. Ballysillan Park and Glenbank Park close 30 minutes before our other parks.

Map of Ormeau Park