The Ardoyne community is rallying round in support of a local Sinn Féin councillor lobbying Belfast City Council to rebuild a local children's play park which was forced to close after it was vandalised.
Councillor Gerard McCabe has met with the council's Parks and Leisure officials to call for the Pitch and Mitch park on the Ardoyne Road to be rebuilt. The formerly well-used park has been sitting empty for over a year after it was forced to close due to vandalism.
The local community is keen to see the park back up and running for the area's children and a public meeting was held in Ardoyne Community centre to talk about the way ahead for the park.
Councillor McCabe said the park needs regenerated as a much-needed resource for the area's kids who are restricted in places where they can play safely.
"Sinn Féin have been campaigning for many years regarding the inequalities of leisure facilities in North Belfast for our young people," he said.
"After I was approached by residents I began lobbying Belfast City Council and had a meeting with parks and leisure department. It was a very positive meeting and I got a good response from the council officers.
"I made them aware that the vandalism to the park is caused by only a small minority of antisocial elements who should not be taking away the kids' right to a play facility."
The council agreed that discussions be held at local level in respect of the Pitch and Mitch playground and that a series of options be considered in respect of the site which might include a reconstruction of a playground.
After the meeting a way forward was agreed by the councillor, residents and Belfast City Council.
"'It was a good and positive meeting and now the council will come out in September and start to draw up plans for the park to make sure the kids in the area get a great play facility."
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