SENTRY HILL PARK

SENTRY HILL PARK


Located between the Duory Road and the Old Ballymoney Road, Ballymena, Sentry Hill Park is the only space in town that boasts a mini-ecosystem of its own and provides an oasis of peace and calm for many of us looking to get away from the frenetic space of life.

A semi-wild area with a traffic free zone rarely found these days in a the Ballymena area, Sentry Hill has diverse flora, fauna and wildlife.

Its many access points makes the Park easily available to any local residents looking for a quiet place to contemplate, a grace space to exercise and enjoy fresh air – especially with the presence of the Sports Hall, or to walk their pets and catch up with old friends.

Sentry Hill is a much needed green space, leading ultimately to the People’s Park, the town’s other important park facility, but with an entirely different function. There is a need to keep and maintain both essential features of the town.

This important green space is now under threat. There has been a proposal to build either an unnecessary school or housing units in the Park.

This is a wake-up call to every one of us who values green spaces and the joys the Park has brought us over the years.

We can no longer take for granted the future of Sentry Hill Park as an unspoiled open space. It is up to all of us who have enjoyed – and who still do or wish to enjoy - its many benefits to speak up in its defence.


KEEP SENTRY HILL PARK GREEN CAMPAIGN

Our aim is to save Sentry Hill Park from the threat of change by developers. The council, and the powers-that-be, have to reappraise their ideas of the importance of this green space. Research has repeatedly shown that open green spaces are essential for the well being of the population. They are a necessity – not a commodity to be discarded or abused for short term needs or gains, and definitely not a luxury or an optional extra. The Government’s policy is to enhance and improve such areas, not demolish them.