The park was historically the site of the Hazelbank Bleach Green, a remnant of the region's 19th-century linen industry.
The coastal path passing through the park is part of the National Cycle Network Route 93.
The site hosts a notable memorial dedicated to the USS Montgomery, an American ship that sank in the vicinity during the late 19th century.
The park features a specialized sensory garden designed to be accessible for visitors with disabilities.
The mudflats exposed at low tide are protected as part of the Belfast Lough Special Protection Area, supporting diverse migratory wading birds.
Hazelbank Park is a significant coastal public space located on the northern shore of Belfast Lough in Newtownabbey. The park occupies a former industrial site that has been transformed into a landscaped waterfront recreational area. It serves as a major node on the Belfast Lough coastal path, connecting local walking and cycling routes. The grounds feature mature trees, formal garden beds, and expansive lawns maintained for public use. Visitors have direct access to the pebble-lined shoreline with views across the lough toward the Belfast docks and the County Down coastline. The park includes designated play areas, memorial installations, and extensive seating facilities. It is managed by the local council and functions as a multi-use green space for both passive recreation and active exercise.
The wooden jetty and shoreline benches offering a direct frame of the lough with the shipyards in the distance.
Bring windproof clothing as the coastal location remains exposed to strong gusts from the lough.
Check local tide tables; the shoreline scenery changes significantly between high and low tide.
Utilize the coastal path for a flat, accessible walk extending toward Greencastle or Jordanstown.
Do not attempt to walk on the mudflats at low tide as they are soft, deep, and dangerous.
Keep dogs on a lead in designated play areas; remove all litter to protect the coastal ecosystem.
