Alexandra Park, Belfast

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 fence, viewed from the Antrim Road side

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 Antrim Road whilst the southern part could only be reached from the Shore Road.[5] In September 2011 a gate linking the two communities was installed in the wall. The gate was initially open on weekdays from 9am to 3pm for a trial period of 3 months.[3]

References
  1. "Belfast City Council. Parks and Open Spaces. A to Z of Parks. Alexandra Park". Belfast City Council. Archived from the original on 17 October 2011. Retrieved 16 September 2011.
  2. Mark Simpson (16 September 2011). "Sectarian swings and roundabouts at Alexandra Park". BBC News. Retrieved 16 September 2011.
  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.


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