Children from the Whitewell area were putting their artistic skills to good use this week designing a new welcome sign to their park which is due to be officially reopened tomorrow.
The youngsters from the area took part in two art workshops in Hazelwood College along with local group New Lodge Arts to design a new sign welcoming visitors to Finlay Park.
A special opening party is planned for the park tomorrow (Friday) between 12 pm and 2pm when the park will have an opening party with a bird show, a visit from the Fire Service and entertainment.
Last month the North Belfast News reported that Belfast City Council’s costly refurbishment to Finlay Park was almost hampered by a malicious fire. However since then local mums have got together to save the park from closure and have planned a family event to celebrate the opening of the play facility.
Deborah Donnelly and Amy McHugh, who attended the first meeting on the park urged local people to come along on Friday and help celebrate and encouraged local young people who had been vandalising the park to take ownership of the only green space in the area.
Local councillor Tierna Cunningham said the party and art workshops proved that when local people get together they can take action on vandalism.
“This is proof that they can make things happen,” she said.
“I would urge everyone to come along and celebrate the day.”
