Woodvale Park

Woodvale Park is a Victorian park, with a bandstand and landscaped flower and shrub beds. Facilities include soccer pitches, seven-a-side soccer area, a bowling pavilion, a children’s playground with toddlers play area, an outdoor exercise area, a community garden and allotment plots. The park has several varied routes for walkers. The park is also home to the Peace Tree.

History of the park

Woodvale Park was sold to Belfast Corporation by Reverend Glover in 1888. He lived in Woodvale House, towards the south of the park. The site was originally due to be called Shankill Park, but the name was changed to Woodvale.

An opening ceremony was scheduled for 3pm on Saturday 18 August 1888. However, by 3.35pm, the dignitaries had not turned up so a park ranger took the key and opened the gates to the large crowd.

Woodvale Park originally included a large pond, which was used by local people in winter for ice-skating. The pond was filled in after World War II and replaced with a children's playground.

Getting to the park

Enter the park at Woodvale Road or Ballygomartin Road.

If you are travelling by bus, take Metro no.11A-D from Belfast city centre, or plan your journey with Translink (link opens in new window).

Green Flag awards

Woodvale Park has been awarded a Green Flag every year from 2014 to 2022. This award recognises the best open spaces in the UK.

Park events

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

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 Woodvale Park