Laganscape is a Landscape Partnership Scheme, a grant programme supported by the Heritage Lottery Fund. Through Laganscape, we have encouraged involvement in the management of Lagan Valley Regional Park (LVRP) through school groups, local communities, business organisations and volunteers. The scheme is valued at £2.3million and employs 3 full time and 1 part time staff in the park. Laganscape commenced in December 2007 and will run until December 2012. For further information check out the publications section of this website.

Laganscape is currently reviewing how LVRP delivers interpretation across the Park. From this review our aim is to develop a strategy which will help the Park to improve information provision and meet the needs of visitors. We would be delighted to hear your opinions by completing a short survey click here to take part, your views are valued and appreciated.

Some of the highlights completed to date include the following:

Millbrook Huguenot Riverside Park Project

Work is continuing on the development of a new riverside park along the River Lagan at Millbrook Huguenot close to Lisburn City Centre.  The project will see improvements to the pathways, installation of play areas, fishing stands and restoration of heritage features.

The work is being funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) through Laganscape, a Landscape Partnership Scheme along with a contribution from Lisburn City Council who initially developed the idea for the project.
Head of HLF Northern Ireland, Paul Mullan, said: “The Laganscape Landscape Partnership has already achieved so much and it is wonderful to see work commence on this latest project.   The riverside scheme will open up and increase access to the natural heritage and biodiversity of the area for both local residents and visitors to learn about and enjoy, and we are delighted to be involved.”

Laganscape Programme Manager:
The Millbrook Huguenot riverside scheme is an exciting project within Lagan Valley Regional Park. We in Laganscape are delighted to be working with Lisburn City Council and the local community to deliver improvements which will see a new recreation amenity created along with the conservation of wildlife and the local heritage attached to the nearby Hilden Mill.

Click here for an information leaflet on this exciting new project.



Restoration of the Lock Keeper's Cottage

Restoration on the Lock Keeper’s Cottage commenced on 23rd June 2008.  The works have seen the inside of the cottage restored to its former glory with the windows, doors and roof being replaced. The cottage has been restored to how it would have looked in the early part of the 20th Century.

With the assistance of Mrs. Dorothy McBride, who was raised in the cottage, Laganscape, in conjunction with Castlereagh Borough Council, has fully restored the Lock Keeper’s Cottage, which is now open to the public when our Volunteer Heritage Guides are available to man the cottage. Groups are facilitated outside these times. We are greatly indebted to our volunteer Heritage Guides who run the cottage on our behalf. 

Restoration of Lock No.3

Works on Lock No.3, are now complete. The project on Lock No.3 is taking place in partnership with the Department of Culture Arts and Leisure (DCAL) and is being delivered through Laganscape. 
The works have involved:
*  the diversion of a water-main, 
*  the chamber floor and cills being restored
*  new gates being fabricated
*  finishing details including ladders and mooring posts.

Laganscape volunteers

Laganscape aims to encourage involvement of people who care passionately about their local area. The volunteer programme was launched in May 2008 and has been a remarkable success. Our volunteers show utmost commitment to their roles whether they are working in the Lock Keeper's Cottage, carrying out a wide range of conservation focused tasks or surveying and photographing the huge diversity of native species in the Regional Park. They are an enthusiastic and diverse group from all walks of life and all around the globe and are considered integral to the success of the project. Many of them have commented that the dynamics of the group have led to genuine long lasting friendships that have extended beyond the parameters of the project. Laganscape volunteers are engaged in both the planning and delivery of projects. To this end they have a deep sense of pride and ownership for their local patch and the future sustainability of the programme. Their dedication and willingness to learn makes the Laganscape volunteer programme unique and a joy to be part of.

Make space for nature - schools project

Laganscape have teamed up with local primary schools to promote the use of the outdoor classroom by making space for nature in their school grounds. Pupils have been involved in the design and creation of some fantastic projects, that will not only create new habitats for wildlife but will serve as an educational tool in teaching the 'World Around Us' component of the Northern Ireland curriculum. Some of the projects include: planting a tree trail, creating a pond at Seymour Hill Primary School that will be used to discover the wonders of underwater life, building 'mini-beast mansions' at Stranmillis Primary School and constructing a wildflower garden that will bring birds, bees and butterflies to a drab corner of Belvoir Park Primary School. Mr Meharry the headmaster for Seymour Hill Primary School said, "this has been a fantastic experience for the children that has really brought science to life".

Ancient Acorn project
The veteran oaks in Belvoir Park Forest have been dated as some of the oldest in Ireland. Acorns from these oaks were collected and grown in a nursery and in December 2008 these were planted on a site adjacent to Belvoir Park Forest.  In partnership with Forest of Belfast, Northern Ireland Housing Executive, several local companies and 160 children from the local Belvoir Park primary school we planted 2,500 of these oaks over 3 days.  These saplings will extend the legacy of the Belvoir oak trees and the local children have been encouraged to come back and keep an eye on the progress of their individual trees. During 2009 and 2010 additional oaks were planted as well as understorey species.

Belvoir Park Forest Red Squirrel Project

As part of the project, an extensive survey of the red squirrels was undertaken with a view to determining numbers and the capacity of the forest to provide a habitat.

Unfortunately there has been a steady decline in the red squirrel population and the survey showed that there is no longer a viable population.

Our squirrel survey volunteers continue to survey red and grey squirrels.

For further information check out the publications section of this website.