Mid and East Antrim Borough Council has approved a public consultation on proposals to create two dog exercise areas, one of which is proposed at Wilson Crescent in Ballymena. The consultation follows the opening of a similar facility at Carnfunnock Country Park in June 2025 and is intended to provide secure spaces where dogs can be exercised off‑lead.
Sites identified and background
The two locations put forward by council officers are Wilson Crescent, Ballymena and Eden Playing Fields, outside Carrickfergus. The Carrickfergus site is noted as being protected through Fields in Trust, a charity that seeks to legally safeguard parks and green spaces for public recreation.
The council said the facilities are intended to offer a secure area for dogs to run off‑lead. The proposals will now be subject to a period of public consultation so residents, dog owners and other stakeholders can comment on the detailed plans.
Questions from councillors
At a meeting of the council’s Neighbourhoods and Communities Committee held at The Braid in Ballymena, several councillors raised operational and access concerns. Points discussed included:
- parking and vehicular access to the Wilson Crescent site and whether there is sufficient space for visitors to park;
- the potential for future provision of equipment within the fenced areas, such as agility or play items;
- the geographic distribution of facilities across Ballymena and the wider borough to ensure fair access.
One Ballymena representative asked the council to consider a second site to serve other parts of the town, stressing that the single Wilson Crescent location would not reach all residents.
“It is serving one side of the town. It is a big town,”
The comment came from the Ballymena Alliance councillor speaking at the meeting, who urged colleagues to consider whether additional provision was required to meet demand across Ballymena’s wider area. Other councillors welcomed the progress but also asked practical questions about parking and future equipment provision.
How this follows earlier provision at Carnfunnock
Council members noted that a dog exercise area opened at Carnfunnock Country Park outside Larne in June 2025, which formed part of the park’s £7m refurbishment. That scheme was delivered following requests from the community and elected representatives and remains available while other renovation work at the park continues.
Officers said the identification of the Wilson Crescent and Eden Playing Fields sites represents the next step in expanding accessible off‑lead spaces within the borough. The Carrickfergus proposal’s protected status through Fields in Trust was highlighted as an important consideration in securing long‑term public use of the land.
Next steps and what residents can expect
The council will run a public consultation on both proposals. Residents and stakeholders will be invited to submit views on the suggested locations, access arrangements, parking provision and whether equipment should be included in the areas.
| Proposed site | Location | Key issues raised |
|---|---|---|
| Wilson Crescent | Ballymena | Parking/access; may not serve whole town; request for further site |
| Eden Playing Fields | Outside Carrickfergus | Protected by Fields in Trust; long‑term safeguarding |
Consultation dates, how to take part and detailed plans are expected to be published by the council as part of the formal consultation process. Local dog owners, residents near the proposed sites and community groups are likely to be among those with an interest in the outcome.
The discussion at The Braid underlines the practical considerations that often accompany green‑space projects: while fenced off‑lead areas can meet clear community needs, their success depends on site choice, parking, accessibility and how widely provision is distributed across a town like Ballymena.
