News Release Page Title

27 June 2005

£20K RESTORATION OF RIVERDALE WALK

The Riverdale area of Larne has received a £20,000 facelift thanks to the Department for Social Development’s (DSD) Local Community Fund.

The once overgrown Inver River Walk has been transformed with the planting of scented wild flowers, shrubs, trees and the introduction of benches and picnic tables.

Tracey McCloskey, from DSD’s Voluntary and Community Unit, said: "One of the objectives of the Local Community Fund is to help local people to improve their neighbourhoods. The Riverdale River Walk is a naturally beautiful area. I am pleased that DSD has been able to help to restore this wonderful asset. I hope it will be used and enjoyed by all the inhabitants of Larne and visitors to the area.

"This project owes its success to local residents and community workers working with the Local Strategy Partnership, elected representatives, Larne Borough Council and the Town Development Manager.

"Riverdale has previously benefited from £20,502 from the Local Community Fund. This money was used to refurbish and equip two meeting and training rooms, to landscape the estate and to provide recycling facilities. Last month, the Minister for Social Development, David Hanson, announced that Riverdale is to receive an additional £22,370."

The Inver River Walk runs from the Rock Filling Station through to the Bridge Street area of Larne.

NOTES TO EDITORS:

  1. The £3m per annum Local Community Fund was launched by the Department for Social Development in February 2003. Its aim is to improve capacity and leadership in 48 disadvantaged communities throughout Northern Ireland.

  2. It is administered by Larne Local Strategy Partnership.

  3. Further information on the Local Community Fund is available from Tracey McCloskey, Voluntary and Community Unit, Department for Social Development, Level 3, Lighthouse Building, Gasworks Business Park, Ormeau Road, Belfast, BT7 2JB. Telephone (028) 9082 9420.

  4. For media enquiries please contact Dara Cosgrove on (028) 9082 9078.

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