MILLISLE YOUTH THANK COUNCIL FOR LISTENING

Young people from Millisle have thanked Ards Borough Council for listening to their views on the village's newly created play area.

As well as a mix of swings, slides and roundabouts, the new play equipment at the Ballywalter Road site also includes a basketball hoop and mini pitch, after older children expressed their views for this kind of specific play item during community consultation. Mayor of Ards, Councillor Mervyn Oswald, met members of the Millisle Youth Forum on site to hear for himself how well the new facility had been received:

"Balancing the needs of older children and teenagers, as well as those of young children, in a shared play space is not easy to achieve. This is one example, however, where timely and meaningful consultation with the children themselves, has paid dividends. Indeed, further feedback from local people means we adding a toddler swing," said Councillor Oswald. "I was delighted to meet the young men and women from Millisle Youth Forum who are a credit to their community and will hopefully help show others how positive contributions can make a real difference. I hope they enjoy and look after the new play area".

Jo Scott, Youth Leader with Millisle Youth Forum, said:

"The Youth Forum is open to young people between the age of 11-25 and was established to give them a voice within their community. This is the first real example of their opinions being valued and will be their legacy to the village. This also provided the young people with the opportunity to engage in the public consultation process thus developing and enhancing their skills set. The mini pitch and hoops are a real asset to the play park".

The new play area was part a £700,000 programme by the Council which has seen 15 play parks created or refurbished across the Ards Borough since 2009.