Further Investment Planned for Downpatrick Urban Sports Park

Newry, Mourne and Down District Council is planning to enhance the Dunleath Urban Sports Park in Downpatrick.

Developed at a cost of £439,000 by the Department for Communities (DfC), with additional support from the Council, the park has been a major success, providing young people and families with an exciting space for cycling, skateboarding and wheeled sports.

The facility features an 80-metre pump track with banked turns and undulations, and a skate park with ramps, grind rails and trick features.

The significant investment formed part of the wider regeneration of Downpatrick, designed to attract visitors, strengthen links with the town centre and nearby Down Leisure Centre, and encourage healthier, more active lifestyles.

A recommendation from the Council’s Strategy, Policy and Resources Committee on 22 January 2026 to further invest at the sports park to improve access to St Patrick’s Avenue, provide new park benches, fencing along Russell Park and drainage work, was ratified by the Council at its meeting on 2 February.

The project will be funded by DfC, with match funding from the Council and is subject to planning approval.

Newry, Mourne and Down District Council Chairperson, Councillor Philip Campbell said, “The urban sports park has been an outstanding success since it opened and is attracting more young people to the town.

“The park is helping deliver many benefits for Downpatrick and the wider district, providing not only an extremely popular facility, but encouraging active and healthy lifestyles.”

Cllr Campbell said the sports park was one of the priorities in the Downpatrick Living High Streets initiative and championed by the Downpatrick Regeneration Working Group, which is working alongside DfC, the Council and others on a number of projects in the town.

The Council Chairperson said the regeneration group has forged close links with a number of government departments and others, with the collaboration securing investment for exciting projects like the sports park at Dunleath.

“The new park is a key element of the ongoing regeneration of Downpatrick and further investment in a new access and seating will widen its appeal, making one of the best facilities of its kind even better,” Cllr Campbell added.

The Department for Communities said it is pleased to provide additional funding for the Downpatrick sports park.

“The park has been a huge success since it opened, and the additional investment will widen its appeal. The park is a key element of plans to regenerate Downpatrick town centre, with the facility supporting health, community, and economic growth in the area,” a spokesperson added.