Alexandra Park, Belfast

Alexandra Park fence, viewed from the Antrim Road side

Alexandra Park is a Victorian park situated in north Belfast.[1] It is named after Princess Alexandra and was opened in 1888.[1] As is typical for parks of the period, it has a formal layout that includes tree lined avenues.[1] It also contains play areas for children.[2]

Alexandra Park is believed to be the only park in western Europe to be divided by a three metre wall.[3] The barrier was erected in 1994 and is one of a number of "peace walls" built across the city in attempt to prevent violence between Nationalist/Republican and Unionist/Loyalist communities.[3] The wall's foundations were laid on 1 September 1994, the day of the first IRA ceasefire.[4] The northern part of the park was accessible only from the Republican Antrim Road whilst the southern part could only be reached from the Loyalist Shore Road.[5] In September 2011 a gate linking the two communities was installed in the wall. The gate will be open on weekdays from 9am to 3pm for a trial period of 3 months.[3]

References

  1. 1 2 3 "Belfast City Council. Parks and Open Spaces. A to Z of Parks. Alexandra Park". Belfast City Council. Retrieved 16 September 2011.
  2. ↑ Mark Simpson (16 September 2011). "Sectarian swings and roundabouts at Alexandra Park". BBC News. Retrieved 16 September 2011.
  3. 1 2 3 "'Peace wall' gate to open at Belfast's Alexandra Park". BBC News. 16 September 2011. Retrieved 16 September 2011.
  4. ↑ Henry McDonald (7 November 1999). "The walls that won't come down". The Observer. Retrieved 16 September 2011.
  5. ↑ Henry McDonald (28 July 2002). "No rest for the guns". The Observer. Retrieved 16 September 2011.

Coordinates: 54°37′05″N 5°55′55″W / 54.618°N 5.932°W / 54.618; -5.932

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