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A major project involving a neglected river running through east Belfast. Officially described as: “The Connswater Community Greenway is a £32 million investment in East Belfast. The project has been developed by the East Belfast Partnership and is funded by the Big Lottery Fund, Belfast City Council and the Department for Social Development.
The Connswater Community Greenway will create a 9km [5½ miles] linear park through East Belfast, following the course of the Connswater, Knock and Loop Rivers, connecting the open and green spaces and remediating the Connswater River itself. The Greenway will reconnect the communities of East Belfast and restore the rivers as community assets. It will create vibrant, attractive, safe and accessible parkland for leisure, recreation and community events and activities”.

An announcement, on 2 July 2013, included the following “Summer 2013 construction of the first phase of the Connswater Community Greenway Project will begin with work taking place in Orangefield and Victoria Parks. One of the key elements of work in Victoria Park is a new bridge link from Victoria Park to Airport Road”.

An official press release dated 19 August 2014 contains the following: “The final phase of the Connswater Community Greenway will begin later this year and will include; a C.S. Lewis themed public square at Holywood Arches, public art, new play areas, improvements to the rivers, flood defences, lighting, benches, landscaping, planting and 13kms of new paths for walking and cycling.”
This is the link to the official Connswater Greenway website Link

A park of some 60 acres, built on reclaimed land in 1906, between the industrial part of Belfast Harbour Estate and the Sydenham bypass, replacing an earlier pleasure park on Dargan Island (now Queen’s Island). There is a large lake with two islands. The park is partly enclosed by an embankment on the northern and western sides.
It attracts a considerable number of ducks and greylag geese. On one of the flight paths to the George Best Belfast City Airport – low flying aircraft are one of the attractions.
Part of the park is included in the Connswater Greenway project Link “Proposals in Victoria Park will protect and enhance its environmental and amenity value. Proposals include a new bridge into Airport Road, lighting, improved and new paths, an observation point, new toilet block, interpretative signage and a trim trail”.
Most of the park is level making it suitable for those with impaired mobility. There is a car park and public toilets.