Forth Meadow Community Greenway

What is Forth Meadow Community Greenway?

Forth Meadow Community Greenway is a £6.2million EU PEACE IV-funded project to connect existing open spaces in north and west Belfast along a 12km route from Clarendon Playing Fields to the new Transport Hub in the city centre.

The capital works included the addition of new paths and cycle ways along the route, additional planting, new pathway surfaces, new street furniture, visitor information, wayfinding signage and public art. There have also been enhancements to sites along the route including Springfield Park, which has been completed.

In parallel with the capital project, we delivered an exciting community activity and events programme at key sections along the greenway to help bring communities together and promote use of the shared space

Greenway sections

There are five distinct sections to the capital works.

Glencairn Park to Forthriver Linear Park

This section of the greenway includes new paths, lighting and seating installed in Glencairn and Forthriver Parks, plus a new entrance added at Glencairn Park. Forthriver Linear Park’s path was also upgraded, and the footbridge at Forthriver Way was refurbished.

Ballygomartin Road to Springfield Road

This section is due to open later this summer. It includes a new shared space known as Springvale Park, with walking and cycling paths and a raised walkway over the wetlands. A new path will also connect the space to Paisley Park when it opens. 

Springfield Park to Falls Park

This section connects Springfield Road with the Whiterock Community Corridor and Falls Park. It also includes the £1.2 million redevelopment at Springfield Park including a new bridge across Springfield Dam.

Bog Meadows Nature Reserve

This section includes enhancements to pathways within and connecting to the nature reserve, plus additional planting and lighting. The route connects to Broadway, where a new, welcoming entrance was added.

Westlink to city centre

This section, starting at Broadway Roundabout and ending at the new Transport Hub, will see new wayfinding signage installed.

The majority of work has been completed and you can now walk or cycle uninterrupted along the full greenway route. The final element of the project will see new visitor information and directional signage installed.

Forth Meadow Community Greenway Map

This map shows the route of the new greenway.

The Carry Each Other sculpture

We commissioned local visual artist, Sara Cunningham-Bell, to produce one signature sculpture and five floor art pieces for the greenway. As a group, these are named: ‘Carry Each Other, with Dialogue'.

Find out about Carry Each Other

Funding

We’re delivering the £6.2 million project, with funding provided by the EU’s PEACE IV Programme, managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB), the Department for Infrastructure and the Department for Communities. The Executive Office in Northern Ireland and the Department of Rural and Community Development in Ireland have provided support for the PEACE IV element of the project.

Forth Meadow Community Greenway is one of three major PEACE IV shared space projects underway in Belfast.

Watch video about Forth Meadow Community Greenway

This video, produced at the start of the project, provides an overview of the plans.