Carrickfergus and Ballymena sites proposed for dog exercise parks
A public consultation has been approved by councillors for two new proposed dog exercise areas in Mid and East Antrim.
A dog exercise area was opened at Carnfunnock Country Park outside Larne in June 2025 as part of a £7m refurbishment of the visitor attraction. The facility remains available as renovation work continues.
Two new sites have been identified elsewhere in the borough by the council for consideration. They are at Wilson Crescent, Ballymena and at Eden Playing Fields outside Carrickfergus, which is under the designation of the Fields in Trust, a charity working to secure legal protection for all parks and green spaces.
Speaking at the borough council’s Neighbourhoods and Communities Committee on Tuesday, Ballymena Alliance Councillor Jack Gibson requested a second site to be provided in Ballymena, noting the proposed site is “serving one side of the town”. “It is a big town,” he added.
Party colleague Knockagh Cllr Aaron Skinner said: “It is good to see this moving forward."
Knockagh DUP Cllr Marc Collins asked if equipment could be provided in the future.
Braid TUV Cllr Matthew Warwick expressed concern over access with regard to parking at the proposed Ballymena location. “To be beneficial to the wider borough, people should be able to park,” he commented.
An officer explained that parking is available nearby adjacent to a play park and community centre. “We are not encouraging people to travel to exercise their dogs,” she said.
She stressed that the proposal is “very much at the consultation stage”.
Coast Road Ulster Unionist Cllr Maureen Morrow asked if there were any alternative sites.
Ballymena TUV Cllr Matthew Armstrong commented that people walk their dog at Wakehurst “every day of the week”.
He went on query the cost of installing a fence to create an exercise area when there is a field beside the proposed location. “The logic is not terribly clear,” he added.
The officer explained the proposed facility was requested by members and it is considered to be a “secure site for dogs to exercise off-lead”.
Carrickfergus Castle DUP Alderman Billy Ashe MBE commented: “I saw this done 20 years ago. The first time somebody’s dog attacks another dog, the claim comes to the council.”
The officer replied: “These are all part of the consultation process.”
Michelle Weir, Local Democracy Reporter