‘Quiet Hour’ continues across Mid and East Antrim parks
Friday 17 April 2026
Mid and East Antrim Borough Council continues the ‘Quiet Hour’ scheme across a number of parks in the Borough, helping to make our outdoor spaces more, welcoming, inclusive and accessible for everyone.
Quiet Hour offers dedicated times when play parks and surrounding areas are calmer and quieter than usual. This can make a real difference for autistic children, young people and adults, as well as anyone who may feel overwhelmed by noise, busy environments or sensory stimulation, allowing them to enjoy the park in a more comfortable and relaxed way.
During Quiet Hour, our parks staff will not operate loud machinery, such as leaf blowers, lawn mowers, strimmers or similar equipment. Where possible, we would also ask all park users when planning visits and activities to be considerate of those who may particularly value this quieter period, so that together we create a communal park where everyone can enjoy the space in a way that feels safe, positive and inclusive.
Quiet Hour takes place every Wednesday and Sunday between 2pm and 3pm at the following locations:
- People’s Park, Ballymena
- Town Park, Larne
- Marine Gardens, Carrickfergus
As part of our wider commitment to inclusive outdoor spaces, People’s Park in Ballymena also features a dedicated sensory area. Designed to stimulate the senses in a positive and engaging way, the space includes a range of equipment suitable for children of all abilities. It also features accessible pathways, picnic benches, a flowing walkway, and a variety of trees, textures, and musical features to enhance the sensory experience.
The Quiet Hour scheme forms part of the Putting People First Community Planning Autism Friendly Borough initiative, which aims to support autistic people and their families and help them feel welcome and included in shared public spaces across the Borough.
Developed by our Autism Champion within the Parks and Open Spaces team, this scheme supports our ongoing work to create a strong, vibrant, safe and inclusive community, where people work together to improve quality of life for everyone.