The new trails at Parkanaur and Gosford Forest Parks compliment two existing trails in place at Benburb valley and Loughgall Country Parks. Children from local schools in the Castlecaulfield area were some of the first to test the new trails with everyone agreeing that it was a very enjoyable and positive experience.
At the launch the Minister said: “I am particularly proud to be here today in the Blackwater region, launching a product which provides an alternative outdoor learning experience for thousands of children. The Forest Service has been able to work closely with both the Blackwater Regional Partnership and NI Orienteering to allow these developments to take place. I am well acquainted with the excellent work that the Blackwater Regional Partnership has been carrying out in this cross-border area over the last number of years. Indeed, this new Forest Service product has been made possible through funding provided by the partnership.”
The Chairman of the Blackwater Regional Partnership, Councillor Sean Conlon, commented: “This launch is a further example of the importance of working with partners to make a real difference on the ground allowing opportunities to provide improved facilities that everyone can benefit from. This launch is the culmination of a lot of hard work and I commend all involved.”
Julieann Spence, Project Officer for the Blackwater Natural Resource Project gave a summary of the principles and aims of eco-trails and explained: “This is a brilliant resource that both schools and families can access through the internet, not to mention tourists who may be enjoying the Blackwater region. The eco-trails have been designed in a way that makes everyone respect the environment in an enjoyable way whilst learning as they go along. The beauty of the product is its flexibility in that you can download all information online via the Forest Service website.”
The aim of eco-trails is to develop the environmental and social awareness of young people, being purposely designed to provide an understanding and appreciation of the local and built environment in an enjoyable way. Forest Service has also made a number of improvements to the existing trails at Parkanaur forest. This includes improving trail information for visitors to the forest as well as increasing opportunities for a wider range of the community. A section of new path has also been expanded to provide greater access to the forest for members of the public who are less mobile.
Notes to Editors:
- The Blackwater Regional Partnership (BRP) is a cross-border group , which is divided between three administrative authorities: Armagh City and District Council, Dungannon and South Tyrone Borough Council and Monaghan County Council.
- The Parkanaur Forest trail project which is a ‘Natural Resource Tourism Project’ developed by the BRP, has received funding through the EU Interreg IIIA programme. The aim of the project is ‘to promote the sustainable use of the natural resource and the indigenous product while enhancing and safeguarding the natural amenities and assets of the area’. One of the developments being funded by this project is an eco-trails initiative. These trails have been developed with the cooperation of other partners at Benburb valley, Loughgall country park, Gosford forest park and Parkanaur forest.
- Total funding for the ‘Natural Resource Tourism Project’ including many different projects and initiatives has been received to the value of £1,096,250. This is part-financed by the European Union through the INTERREG IIIA programme managed for the Special EU Programmes Body by the ICBAN partnership, to implement projects like this throughout the Blackwater catchment.
- The trails at Gosford Forest Park and Parkanaur forest are located on Forest Service land in core recreation areas already well used by large numbers of both adults and children for recreation purposes such as walking. Forest Service worked in tandem with both BRP and NI Orienteering in the development of the eco-trails at both forests to increase and compliment the range of social provision at the forest.
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