Outdoor Spaces Programme

Outdoor spaces from BNL Productions on Vimeo.

Community Engagement Programme

Funded by the PEACE IV Programme and delivered by Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council, this is a FREE community engagement project focusing on the environment, heritage, leisure & recreation and biodiversity. Engaging all communities and children aged 6-12 years old, providing five free family events and ten weekly workshops in Portadown People’s Park, Lurgan Park, Loughgall Park and Solitude Park, Banbridge.

This programme aims to:

Promote and create welcoming & safe shared spaces.
Explore and learn about our physical & social environment.
Learn and develop new skills & creative ideas.
Build new friendships and enhance positive relationships.

For more information and registration:

Register for the Outdoor Spaces Programme here:

If your preferred area is full please enquire with

What is the Outdoor Spaces Programme?

Our Community Engagement Programme is an outdoor engagement project focusing on the environment, heritage, leisure/recreation, and biodiversity. Engaging all communities and children aged 6-12 years old in a series of outdoor workshops and family events. The Programme runs from February to May 2020 and is delivered in four locations across the Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough:

LOUGHGALL COUNTRY PARK
LURGAN PARK
PORTADOWN PEOPLE’S PARK
SOLITUDE PARK, BANBRIDGE

This FREE programme includes 10 weekly after schools workshops in each four locations including a family showcase event. There will also be a fun day in each area and one central celebration event at the end of the programme.

By participating, young people will:

Learn about the natural environment.
Enjoy outdoor biodiversity activities with hands-on experience and learning.
Take part in outdoor team-building activities.

Which topics are covered throughout the Outdoor Spaces Programme?

Biodiversity
The air you breathe, the water you drink and the food you eat all rely
on biodiversity. Learn about the eco system around you with activities that cover topics like identifying plants, animal habitats and food webs.

Environmental
Encourage environmental awareness by introducing the 3 R’s: Reduce waste, Re-use resources and Recycle materials. Participants will take a walk on the wild side with guided nature walks, pond dipping and bug hunting.

Cultural/Heritage
Take a step back in time and explore local culture and heritage with historical workshops. Explore the links between parks and towns.

Health and Wellbeing
Sunlight is the best natural source for our bodies to produce Vitamin D. Allowing children (and adults!) the freedom to be outside, we reinforce their emotional well-being, and in turn encourage them to embrace the natural world independently. Learn of the many benefits of outdoor recreation.

When are the free family events taking place?

There are five free family events throughout this programme; one in each of the below areas:

Loughgall Country Park – 14th April 2020
Portadown People’s Park – 15th April 2020
Solitude Park, Banbridge- 16th April 2020
Lurgan Park- 17th April 2020

Events do not require tickets or registration and are open to all members of the public. Each event will run from 12 noon until 4pm.

There will also be a finale celebration event taking place in Tannaghmore Gardens on 16th May 2020.

How much does the programme cost?

The programme, including all workshops and events, are completely FREE of charge.

How do I register for the programme?

All children must be registered to attend the workshops. Please use the link below to register your child’s place.

Click Here to Register

Attendee Information

Workshops will be outdoors so please come prepared. If days are warm ensure sun cream is applied, if days are wet be prepared to get wet! Registration commences at 3pm and workshops run for two hours – from 3.30pm- 5.30pm. There will be some juice and lights snacks during registration; children are free to bring along their own food.

Where do the Outdoor Spaces workshops take place?

There are four locations where workshops are taking place on a weekly basis.

Portadown People’s Park (meet at the pavillion)
Loughgall Country Park (meet at the barn)
Solitude Park, Banbridge (meet at the Ranger’s station)
Lurgan Park (meet at the cricket pavillion)

If you have any queries or difficulty accessing the sites you can contact:

BNL Productions – 02838323793 (please note, this desk is not always manned)

When do the Outdoor Spaces workshops take place?

Portadown People’s Park	Dates
Week 1	Monday 24^th Feb	Registration @ 3pm Workshop @ 3.30-5.30pm
Week 2	Monday 02^nd Mar	Registration @ 3pm Workshop @ 3.30-5.30pm
Week 3	Monday 09^th Mar	Registration @ 3pm Workshop @ 3.30-5.30pm
Week 4	Monday 16^th Mar	Registration @ 3pm Workshop @ 3.30-5.30pm
Week 5	Monday 23^rd Mar	Registration @ 3pm Workshop @ 3.30-5.30pm
Week 6	Monday 30^th Mar	Registration @ 3pm Workshop @ 3.30-5.30pm
Week 7	Monday 06^th Apr	Registration @ 3pm Workshop @ 3.30-5.30pm
Week 8	Monday 20th Apr	Registration @ 3pm Workshop @ 3.30-5.30pm
Week 9	Monday 27th Apr	Registration @ 3pm Workshop @ 3.30-5.30pm
Week 10	Monday 4th May	Registration @ 3pm Workshop @ 3.30-6.30pm

Loughgall Country Park	Dates
Week 1	Tuesday 25^th Feb	Registration @ 3pm Workshop @ 3.30-5.30pm
Week 2	Tuesday 3^rd Mar	Registration @ 3pm Workshop @ 3.30-5.30pm
Week 3	Tuesday 10^th Mar	Registration @ 3pm Workshop @ 3.30-5.30pm
Week 4	Friday 20^th Mar	Registration @ 3pm Workshop @ 3.30-5.30pm
Week 5	Tuesday 24^th Mar	Registration @ 3pm Workshop @ 3.30-5.30pm
Week 6	Tuesday 31^st Mar	Registration @ 3pm Workshop @ 3.30-5.30pm
Week 7	Tuesday 07^th Apr	Registration @ 3pm Workshop @ 3.30-5.30pm
Week 8	Tuesday 21^st Apr	Registration @ 3pm Workshop @ 3.30-5.30pm
Week 9	Tuesday 28^th Apr	Registration @ 3pm Workshop @ 3.30-5.30pm
Week 10	Tuesday 5th May	Registration @ 3pm Workshop @ 3.30-6.30pm

Solitude Park, Banbridge	Dates
Week 1	Wednesday 26^th Feb	Registration @ 3pm Workshop @ 3.30-5.30pm
Week 2	Wednesday 04^th Mar	Registration @ 3pm Workshop @ 3.30-5.30pm
Week 3	Wednesday 11^th Mar	Registration @ 3pm Workshop @ 3.30-5.30pm
Week 4	Wednesday 18^th Mar	Registration @ 3pm Workshop @ 3.30-5.30pm
Week 5	Wednesday 25^th Mar	Registration @ 3pm Workshop @ 3.30-5.30pm
Week 6	Wednesday 1^st Apr	Registration @ 3pm Workshop @ 3.30-5.30pm
Week 7	Wednesday 08^th Apr	Registration @ 3pm Workshop @ 3.30-5.30pm
Week 8	Wednesday 22^nd Apr	Registration @ 3pm Workshop @ 3.30-5.30pm
Week 9	Wednesday 29^th Apr	Registration @ 3pm Workshop @ 3.30-5.30pm
Week 10	Wednesday 6th May	Registration @ 3pm Workshop @ 3.30-6.30pm

Lurgan Park	Dates
Week 1	Thursday 27^th Feb	Registration @ 3pm Workshop @ 3.30-5.30pm
Week 2	Thursday 05^th Mar	Registration @ 3pm Workshop @ 3.30-5.30pm
Week 3	Thursday 12^th Mar	Registration @ 3pm Workshop @ 3.30-5.30pm
Week 4	Thursday 19^th Mar	Registration @ 3pm Workshop @ 3.30-5.30pm
Week 5	Thursday 26^th Mar	Registration @ 3pm Workshop @ 3.30-5.30pm
Week 6	Thursday 02^nd Apr	Registration @ 3pm Workshop @ 3.30-5.30pm
Week 7	Thursday 09^th Apr	Registration @ 3pm Workshop @ 3.30-5.30pm
Week 8	Thursday 23^rd Apr	Registration @ 3pm Workshop @ 3.30-5.30pm
Week 9	Thursday 30^th Apr	Registration @ 3pm Workshop @ 3.30-5.30pm
Week 10	Thursday 07th May	Registration @ 3pm Workshop @ 3.30-6.30pm

What can be expected from the Outdoor Spaces Workshops?

Week 1:
Use your imagination and teamwork to build your very own bird feeder.

Week 2:
Explore fire safety in the outdoors and toast marshmallows by a fire made from flint and stone.

Week 3:
Make your own natural paint brush and use materials collected from your park to paint with.

Week 4:
Turn your trash into treasure and get creative as you learn all about the importance of keeping your park clean and how to reduce, reuse and recycle.

Week 5:
Learn about the inspiring world of nature, creating art with the natural resources around you.

Week 6:
Discover the hidden histories of your local park through a fun scavenger hunt.

Week 7:
Learn all about frogs and dragonflies, play games and make beautiful crafts to bring home with you.

Week 8:
Parks are coming alive again with spring babies. Help them out by building them a cosy home.

Week 9:
Take a closer look at the trees of your park. Explore the importance of trees, learn fun facts and go on a sensory adventure.

Week 10:
Families of all participants are invited to a celebration Picnic Party in the park to see all of the creations that have been made throughout the workshops and watch the Park Ranger Certificate presentation.

What is the Peace IV Programme?

The PEACE IV Programme is a cross-border initiative, financed through the European Union and managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB). It has been designed to support peace and reconciliation in Northern Ireland and the Border Region of Ireland. In addition to supporting peace and reconciliation, the Programme also contributes to the promotion of social and economic stability, in particular through actions to promote cohesion between communities.

Our programmes are about bringing people and communities together and providing opportunities to engage within and across communities through a series of projects, activities and events.

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