Woodvale Park, opened in 1888, is a typical Victorian park with bandstand, flowerbed’s and mature trees, located in the north west of the Belfast. In 2000 Invest NI planned a new road through the park on its Western edge involving the destruction of many trees and features.
In 2001 ‘Friends of Woodvale Park’ formed to counter the road proposal by Invest NI. The proposal was rejected in 2002 due to large public opposition and an alternative was to be sought. Community Consultations started in 2004 with the Woodvale Park Planning Day, involving members of Belfast City Council, parks department and Friends of Woodvale park, Funding was secured from ‘Awards for all’ for a series of events in the park. In the same year Woodvale and Dunville Parks Interreg Project, secured funding from Neighbours of Europe, run in conjunction with Groundwork. 2006 saw the hosting of numerous events within the park including a visit from the ‘Neighbours from Europe Program’

Also in 2006 ‘Friends of Woodvale Park’ approached Building Initiative to engage in discussion regarding the potential opportunities of the park. Numerous social issues have been identified within the park. ‘Friends of Woodvale Park’ want to reclaim the park by providing social activities aimed at the community including young families and older people. Discussions are ongoing. Building initiative is particularly interested in this project as it demonstrates citizen led urban regeneration.