Green Pastures Play Area Proving a Massive Hit with the Public

The brand-new Children's Play facility at Green Pastures has proved so popular that it opened its doors to the public six months before schedule and receives numerous bookings daily. Last week, almost 200 children used the facility in just three days.

The congregation of Green Pastures is already seeing their vision spectacularly fulfilled—sharing their brand-new facility with the people of Ballymena and much further afield. Anyone from anywhere is welcome to use this impressive new play area, and that's what is happening right now.

For example, the play area, which operates from Thursdays through Saturdays, has been inundated with requests from families from all over the Northwest, including Coleraine, Ballymoney, Larne and other locations.

Commented Green Pastures Operations Manager Joanne Forsthye, "The children have taken to the play area like ducks to water, but many parents have remarked how well things are laid out and run. Parents can see their kids at all times and are delighted by how much there is to keep the children engaged."

The facility includes a massive soft play area with slides, trampolines, and a ball pit. A tiny tot's area exists in the soft play area, too. There's a mini football stadium to play football and a little crowd to cheer them on. Then there's 'Happy Street,' like something out of Disneyland. It boasts a little grocery shop, police station, vets, doctors, beauty parlour, a pizza parlour and even a fire station with a fire truck sticking out the back that they can drive in.

Added Joanne, "What has impressed many parents is aside from being a great additional children's play facility in the town, staff have gone above and beyond to facilitate many community members. Another draw is the large free car parking area at the church, which has proved to be a welcome extra."

Green Pastures Communications employee Stacey Shiels says: "The initial success of GP Kids Playground has wholeheartedly left us, as a church family, in absolute awe every time we walk into the room. The hard work has been a labour of love and has become an inspiring moment for our church and the Ballymena community. This play area is second to none with its high-end facilities, easy access location, many opportunities, fun to be had, and memories to be made and best of all, it's all placed within the church building!"

The initiative is a welcome addition to other children's play facilities in the town and impressive by any standards.  

Added Stacey: "What a powerful way to open the church doors for all to come and see what God is creating and providing in and through this place for every person. It is a special place, and we can't wait to share it with the rest of the world!"  

The children’s village has a road through the Playground and a white picket fence. There's also a chalk wall for little creators and a prayer wall where kids and parents can post their prayer requests as the rest of the church locks arms with them and joins in their Prayers. Add to that a very modern coffee area nicely decorated with tables and sofas; it makes for an excellent place for parents to sit and chat, relax, and get extra fuel as their kids play.

Since the official opening in early Spring, the church has received countless phone calls and messages online from eager members of the public regarding opening times for groups and individuals. This trend seems set to continue.

Play Area Pre-booking numbers and prepayment are essential. All details of prices and packages can be found at www.gpastures.co.uk/gpkids,