The Mesmerizing Victoria Park – Belfast Northern Ireland – Connswater, Belfast

Victoria Park Belfast Northern Ireland

History

Located in East Belfast, Victoria Park was opened for visitors in 1906. Commissioners in Belfast Harbour started investigating the idea back in 1854, but the land was marshy and draining was needed especially near Belfast Lough. It was finally landscaped by Charles Mckimm, who was also the one who built the Tropical Ravine in Botanic Gardens.

It is now considered one of the most important parks in Belfast. Its biggest attraction is its lake, which was used originally for boating activities. Nowadays, it is the home of a wide variety of water birds such as ducks, swans, geese and migrant waders. Because of this rich variety of wildlife species, the water bed in Victoria Park is part of the Belfast Lough ASSI (Area of Special Scientific Interest) project.

Park Activities

There are lots of pleasant paths to walk around the park. For example; the poetry trail, which has ten nature-themed poems composed by local primary school pupils featured onto metal plaques. There’s also the Victoria Park Playing Fields.

Victoria Park is the home to Parkrun. Parkrun is a three-mile (5 kilometres) timed walk or jog around Victoria Park, it is scheduled every Saturday at 9am.

Victoria Park is also home to the Victoria Park Playing Fields, where a run is often held under the name of the park itself. You can find a BMX track there as well. The whole area is a part of the Connswater Community Greenway development plan. The objective of this development plan is to transform part of the city into an outdoor area for families.

Perks of the Park

Victoria Park is the perfect place for an adventurous day with the kids. The park not only has amazing views of Harland and Wolff Shipyard but also it is a place where you can lye back, relax and watch the overhead flying airplanes which are departing from the nearby George Best City Airport.

Not so long ago the park has been connected to the harbour via the Sam Thompson Bridge, permitting visitors to get optimum use of the area. Also, the inner lake is a sanctuary for wildfowl and a very popular setting for wildlife photographers.

Sam Thompson Bridge

The Sam Thompson Bridge was named after the playwright and trade unionist. Sam Thompson also wrote the ground-breaking drama Over the Bridge, and now he has a bridge named after him in Victoria Park. The 62-meter steel bridge is a connection between the park and Airport road, therefore linking the Harbor Estate and Titanic Quarter.

Victoria Park is a place for everyone, whether you are a nature lover, wildlife enthusiast, photographer or just someone who is looking for some peace and quiet and a fun day in the sun. It is also the perfect setting for runners, because of its well-prepared track and the beautiful green colour all around.

Today, with the fast pace we run our lives at, Victoria Park is where you head to slow everything down and just enjoy yourself in nature’s true beauty.

Have you ever visited Victoria Park in East Belfast? Let us know in the comments below and your favourite part of this Belfast Park.

More Belfast Parks to visit: Ormeau Park | Botanic Gardens Belfast | Sir Thomas and Lady Dixon Park | Drumglass Park – Lisburn Park | Redburn Country Park | Woodvale Park