Pickie Fun Park
Pickie holds a host of great memories for families from the Bangor area and beyond and is regularly in the Top 10 Tourist Attractions in Northern Ireland. The giant Pickie pedal swans have become an iconic feature on the waterfront landscape. As part of the overall Bangor Waterfront Redevelopment, this is a fantastic investment in the future of the Park and will ensure Pickie Fun Park continues to attract and delight families for years to come.
The redevelopment of Pickie Fun Park proposes new attractions for both children and young adults, an extension to the cafe as well as an evening events offering plus feature landscaping so it will better integrate with the proposed new public realm development along the coastline.
More information on the scheme can be found here: Project: Pickie Fun Park - Bangor Waterfront Redevelopment
July 2026 Residents Update Meeting
Residents living near Pickie Fun Park were invited to attend a meeting in Pickie Cafe to review updated proposals, following a review of the feedback received at previous engagement sessions - see details of these sessions below. One of the concerns residents had was the introduction of a race coaster, however following acoustic modelling and discussion with the operator, this was removed from the proposed attractions. Below are the images of the revised proposal, due to be submitted to Planning in the middle of July. This submission will mark another major milestone in the Bangor Waterfront Redevelopment programme.
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opening slide
Opening slide
January 2026: Pre-Planning Community Consultation Public Drop- Information Session
See below concept design boards shown at PACC event January 2026 (subject to change in line with design development and formal planning process.)
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Setting the scene
Public Consultation Boards - Slide 1 Context & Vision a
September 2025: First Public Drop- Information Session
As part of the wider Bangor Waterfront Redevelopment, the Council—working in partnership with Pickie's operator, Crumlin Road Gaol, and design consultants McAdam—presented these visionary ideas for the future of this beloved local landmark. Residents and businesses attended to share their thoughts and provide feedback as we shape what's next. The purpose of this early session was to share progress, invite feedback from users and residents, and inform future stages of design.
As the project develops, engagement will continue with local stakeholders, including residents who live in close proximity to the Park, to ensure that all views are considered in the lead-up to the formal planning submission. This will include additional opportunities for public input during the Pre-Application Community Consultation process and beyond. If you would like to receive regular updates on this and the overall Bangor Waterfront Redevelopment, you can sign up to receive regular ezines. Simply request your email be added to our database by emailing bangorwaterfront@ardsandnorthdown.gov.uk
You can review the proposed design ideas below by clicking on each image. A survey where you can share your thoughts, as well as more information on the proposals can be found here: Project: Pickie Fun Park - Bangor Waterfront Redevelopment | Ards and North Down Borough Council
See below first initial concept design boards which were shown at the Public Information Drop In Event held in September 2025 (Note that these initial concepts have been subject to change in line with design development and formal planning process - note for current most up-to-date design proposal information, please see graphics shown at the Pre-Application Community Consultation event in January 2026 above).
Initial Concept Design Visuals
Setting the scene
Context and vision
December 2024: Pickie Fun Park Operator Appointment
Following a Procurement Process, Ards and North Down Borough Council appointed Crumlin Road Gaol Ltd (CRG) as the new operator for Pickie Fun Park in December 2024. Having operated Pickie Fun Park over the past 5 years, this appointment offers consistency and shows a real commitment and desire on the part of CRG to future-proof this much-loved landmark.
Following the operator appointment award, Mr Quinn from CRG said "I am delighted to be awarded the contract and the opportunity to work with Council and its Design Team to develop a new and up-to-date attraction at Pickie Fun Park. CRG's investment proposal, alongside that of BRCD and Council, will hopefully transform the park and make it more attractive to the local community as well as visitors from further afield. CRG currently employs local people from the Borough thus providing much needed employment and the development will also help to stimulate the local economy. I look forward to working with all parties to deliver this project in the coming years."
September 2024: Design ICT Appointment
Following a Tender Process, in September 2024, Council Members approved the appointment of Belfast based McAdam to manage, design and deliver the redevelopment of Pickie Fun Park. McAdam have developed the initial design concepts above.
BACKGROUND TO THE OVERALL SCHEME
The overarching Bangor Waterfront Redevelopment within which Pickie Fun Park sits, is just one of a number of exciting tourism-led regeneration schemes that was eligible to receive funding from the Belfast Region City Deal (Belfast Region City Deal). Council was awarded £40 million for the 10-year development via a bespoke package of funding from the Department of Communities, with an additional £20 million secured from Council and a further investment of £12.8 million being sought from private investment.
Council is currently progressing ambitious plans to redevelop a 2-mile stretch of the Bangor seafront over the next 10 years, to help re-establish Bangor as a thriving city and prime visitor attraction in Northern Ireland.
Work has been taking place on the necessary stages required to develop each of the individual projects that make up the Bangor Waterfront Redevelopment. Each project requires its own Integrated Consultancy Team (ICT design team) to be appointed to design, manage and deliver each project. This involves a series of individual and bespoke procurement processes. :
• The development of a Pre-Qualifying Questionnaire (PQQ) to allow interested companies to formally demonstrate if they have the necessary experience, skills etc. to deliver the required scope of works.
• The development of an Invitation to Tender package (ITT).
• Both sets of documents require approval from Construction and Procurement Delivery (CPD) within the Department of Finance before they can be issued and this must be undertaken for each of the projects.
• Each stage is evaluated and then a report is brought to Council recommending the appointment of the Most Economically Advantageous Tender (MEAT).
BRCD Funding - Business Case for Pickie
An economic appraisal of the proposals for the Pickie Fun Park facility in Bangor ("Pickie") was required as part of the Outline Business Case prepared to support the BRCD funding application for the programme of investment in Bangor Waterfront. More information on the economic appraisal carried out for Pickie Fun Park can be found here:
Pickie Economic Appraisal (PDF, 441 KB) (opens new window)
