Students travel from US to build a new kids play park in Derry

A group of students travelled all the way from the US to build a children’s play park in Derry.

Around 100 students travelled to Derry from all over America to take part in the Cornerstone City Church’s ‘I Heart Derry’ project.

The students, along with volunteers from Cornerstone City Church, constructed a play park in the Creggan area of the city.

The centre won the re-vamp of their play park after a community competition.

This is the fourth play park that members of the Cornerstone City Church have constructed for the local community in recent years.

With a design from Shane Birney Architects, the ‘I Heart’ team transformed the area into something fresh and new which will benefit kids and families for years to come.

This year's event took place from June 28 – July 6 and comprised of Kids Week, a themed 'Super Hero School' hosted by the local community centre in Currynieran and Lisnagelvin and Donemana Primary Schools.

Kids Week was both a fast paced and vibrant event engaging primary school aged kids in creative games, crafts, football coaching. It also featured a multimedia presentation on bringing Bible stories to life today.

Twelve U14 soccer teams competed in the cross community football knockout competition at Magee.

After a great night of action, Top of the Hill won the grand prize of £1,000 for their community with Eglinton Eagles grabbing the £500 runner up prize.

In addition, a team of doctors and nurses from Cornerstone City Church hit the streets as Mobile Medics and were keen to take blood pressure, BMI and blood sugar stats while offering lifestyle tips to everyone on hand.

Finally a celebration Sunday service was held for families and communities on Sunday in the Millennium Forum.

Every child graduated from Super Hero School, the football teams were presented with their awards and the congregation encouraged with a message of faith, hope and love.

Brian Somerville, Senior Pastor at Cornerstone City Church, said that all the American students who took part in the project had loved the experience of working in the local community.

“They loved the city, its culture, how it has overcome its past and most are excited to return,” he said.

Pictured above are Olive Rhodes and Matilda Birney enjoying the new park park.