MEA Outdoors

10/06/2026

Please be advised that the Ballygally result refers to the drop in water quality on Friday 5th June and was subsequently resampled and the quality improved.

It is recommended that you do not enter the water for at least 48 hours after heavy rain. Good hygiene should be followed, including hand and face washing after exiting the water.

10/06/2026

Soapbox Science: Postponed!

📍 People’s Park, Ballymena

This Fridays Soapbox Science event in partnership with has been postponed, once we have a new date it will be here posted on 👍

10/06/2026

Got land? Let’s plant some trees! 🌳👇

The Partnership is looking for landowners, farmers, and businesses across Mid & East Antrim to join their Woodland Project for the upcoming 26/27 winter planting season!

Whether you want to plant a new native woodland, a hedgerow, a shelter belt, or just fill a field corner, they have funding options available for spaces from 0.2ha up to 3ha+ through the Woodland Trust Northern Ireland and DAERA

What you get:

💡 Free expert advice: We will visit your site and design a custom planting plan.
💰 Funding guidance: We’ll walk you through available grants to cover your costs.
🚜 Full support: From initial surveys right through to getting trees in the ground!

Boost your local biodiversity, improve drainage, and create natural shelter for livestock.

Ready to start?

Contact Woodland Officer, Laura, at

📧 [email protected] or visit their Belfast Hills Woodland Project Page to learn more (link in bio)

09/06/2026

The countdown is ON for our next Patch and Pedal event 🙌 ⬇️ 🛞 🛠️ this time in BALLYMENA📍

Reuse and Repair Week 2026 ♻️🛠️

🛞 Patch and Pedal with 🛞

Got a bike that needs a little TLC? ❤️‍🩹

Bring it along and let our friendly experts take a look 👀

⭐️FREE EVENT⭐️

This Reuse and Repair Week we are launching Patch and Pedal - a series of free, drop-in bike repair sessions taking place in our beautiful parks this June. Whether it’s a quick fix, a safety check, or you would just like some advice we’re working alongside East Belfast Mission to help get you rolling again 🚲

🌿 Saturday 13th June 10:00-14:00
Peoples Park, Ballymena

🌿 Saturday 20th June 10:00-14:00
Legg Park, Carrickfergus

💚 Free bike checks and basic repairs
💚 Advice from experienced mechanics
💚 Learn simple fixes you can do yourself
💚 Help with any type of bike – all ages and abilities welcome

Please note: These events are not suitable for electric bikes

No booking needed – just turn up with your bike and have a chat! We can’t wait to welcome you 🙌

For updates keep an eye on

09/06/2026

PATCH AND PEDAL 🚲 🛞 🛠️

📍 Larne

We had a fantastic turn out at our ‘Patch and Pedal’ event on Saturday in the Larne Town Park.

Partnering with NI Resources Network (NIRN) and East Belfast Mission (EBM), 25 bicycles were treated to a full MOT and repair works, reducing waste and extending the lifespan of the bike!



Thanks to our delivery partners and for those of you who continue to support reuse and repair 👏👏👏

We are back these Saturday in Ballymena - join us!

🛞 Patch and Pedal Ballymena
🛞 Peoples Park
🛞 Saturday 13th June 10am - 2pm

Get those bikes looked at just in time for summer 🌞

09/06/2026

Get curious!!! 🌱🌱🌱🌱

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗩𝗲𝗻𝘂𝘀 𝗙𝗹𝘆𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗽: 𝗔𝗿𝘁𝗵𝘂𝗿 𝗗𝗼𝗯𝗯𝘀' 𝗠𝗼𝘀𝘁 𝗖𝘂𝗿𝗶𝗼𝘂𝘀 𝗗𝗶𝘀𝗰𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆

📆 13th June 2026
⌚11am - 12:15pm
📍Andrew Jackson Cottage & US Rangers Museum

Join horticulturist Kelly Doak for an engaging public session exploring the science behind one of nature's most extraordinary botanical inventions — how it senses, snaps, and survives. Held as part of the Arthur Dobbs programme for America 250, the event blends local heritage with hands-on science, bringing Dobbs' curiosity about the natural world to life.

Booking essential 👉https://bit.ly/4tnOK13

09/06/2026

Wildlife and Nature Connections 🦋💚🌀🌱

🌱 Thursday 18 June
🌱 11am to 12.30pm
🌱 Carrickfergus Mill Ponds

Getting outdoors in the fresh air and interacting with other people can be hugely beneficial for both physical and mental health.

Why not join us for a guided walk led by a local expert Aidan Crean, followed by a hot drink and some time for socialising ☕️

We encourage you to attend solo and connect with other people. Booking is essential.

This will be an outdoor event so please dress appropriately. Information on the meeting point will be sent to attendees ahead of the walk.

Please contact play@ midandeastantrim.gov.uk for more information 📧

Mid & East Antrim Loneliness Network

09/06/2026

Community action ⚡️ at Ecos, love to see it!

Great work 5th Ballymena St Columba's Beavers 🙌🙌🙌

08/06/2026

🌀PLAY 31 CHALLENGE ⏱️ 3️⃣1️⃣

🤩 International Day of Play 🙌

Calling all schools in Mid and East Antrim! Why not join the ✨ Play 31 Challenge ✨ on Thursday 11 June, International Day of Play?

Inspired by Article 31 of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, which recognises every child’s right to rest, leisure and play, schools are encouraged to give pupils an extra 31 minutes of play and celebrate the important role play has in children’s health, wellbeing, creativity and development ✅✅✅✅

3️⃣1️⃣

Tag your school below and encourage them to step up to the Play 31 Challenge 💪

You can also take your family outside and enjoy your own play session at one of our fantastic play parks, MUGAs, sensory gardens, forests or beaches 💙💚

This year’s message is simple:

🌀 Protect play, protect childhood.🌀

Let’s get “Out to play in MEA” this Thursday and every day!

PlayBoard NI International Play Association
International Play Association - Northern Ireland

06/06/2026

🙌🏻Ballygally Update🙌🏻
ni has contacted to say that yesterdays’ resample of Ballygally meets the bathing water standards for indicator bacteria.

The rise in bacteria may have been caused by the heavy rain we have been experiencing. We would always advise that you do not enter the sea for at least 48 hours after heavy rainfall. 🌧️🌧️

Good hygiene is always recommended, washing hands and face after being in the sea and try not to ingest any water. 🚿

DAERA will continue to monitor the bathing waters until 15th September 🏊‍♀️🏊‍♂️