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Woodvale Park

Woodvale Park is a Victorian park, with a bandstand and landscaped flower and shrub beds. Facilities include soccer pitches, seven-a-side soccer area, a bowling pavilion, a children’s playground with toddlers play area, an outdoor exercise area, a community garden and allotment plots. The park has several varied routes for walkers. The park is also home to the Peace Tree.

History of the park

Woodvale Park was sold to Belfast Corporation by Reverend Glover in 1888. He lived in Woodvale House, towards the south of the park. The site was originally due to be called Shankill Park, but the name was changed to Woodvale.

An opening ceremony was scheduled for 3pm on Saturday 18 August 1888. However, by 3.35pm, the dignitaries had not turned up so a park ranger took the key and opened the gates to the large crowd.

Woodvale Park originally included a large pond, which was used by local people in winter for ice-skating. The pond was filled in after World War II and replaced with a children's playground.

Getting to the park

Enter the park at Woodvale Road or Ballygomartin Road. If you are travelling by bus, take Metro no.11A-D from Belfast city centre.

Green Flag awards

Woodvale Park has been awarded a Green Flag every year from 2014 to 2019. This award recognises the best open spaces in the UK.

Park events

To find out about events and activities in Belfast parks, go to Park events.

Park opening hours

Date Closing time 
2020
15 April - 28 April 2020  9pm 
29 April – 5 May 2020 9.30pm (9pm for Botanic Gardens)
6 May – 28 July 2020 10pm (9pm for Botanic Gardens) 
29 July – 11 August 2020 9.30pm (9pm for Botanic Gardens)
12 – 25 August 2020 9pm
26 August – 1 September 2020 8.30pm
2 – 15 September 2020 8pm
16 – 29 September 2020 7.30pm
30 September – 13 October 2020 7pm
14 – 20 October 2020 6.30pm
21 – 27 October 2020 5.30pm
28 October – 10 November 2020 5pm
11 November – 31 December 2020 4.30pm

Map of Woodvale Park

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