ECOS CENTRE
Civic Trust Sustainability Award.This 150 acre urban park is close to Ballymena town centre and promotes a sustainable design approach to habitat conservation, creation of new habitats, bio-engineering, ecological restoration, land reclamation and minimising ecological impact. The landscape design is aesthetically pleasing, functionally appropriate and ecologically healthy, whilst at the same time able to accommodate the diverse and changing needs of the local community. The nature park includes riverside walkways and cycle-ways; sculptures and art; viewing and rest areas, and play features. Applied ecological techniques include the creation of wetlands, reed bedwater treatment technology and a willow coppice for biomass fuel. The scheme also included the construction of an island on a specifically created lake; construction and integration of a 150m elevated cycle / footbridge; refuse and environmental debris management and recycling; and information signage and interpretation panels at entrances and along footways. Sustainable urban drainage systems and recycled materials are used throughout the site.
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