Topic: New Mourne forests recreation office opening (Read 18201 times)

admin · « **on:** June 05, 2015 »

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A NEW office has opened at Castlewellan Forest Park to assist with the development of outdoor recreation in the Mournes.

The Mourne Forests Recreation Office will also assist visitors coming to the area to enjoy a wide range of recreation trails and products developed over recent years.

Down Council chairwoman Naomi Bailie, who visited the new office last week, said outdoor recreation developments within the Mourne forests have already been a great success thanks to the development of walk and mountain bike trails alongside the refurbishment of the peace maze in Castlewellan Forest Park.

“The innovative play trail and multi-use walk and cycle trails are proving really successful in nearby Bunkers Hill, whilst the recently installed nature play spaces ‘animal wood’ and ‘big deer’ within Castlewellan and Tollymore Forest Parks respectively are a big hit with families,” said the chairwoman.

“The opening of the new recreation office is another important step for the local council, having a physical base which will allow for improved day-to-day interaction with visitors.”

Councillor Bailie added: “I am delighted the new office is now ready to open its doors and have no doubt it will be a great asset in helping to provide a positive visitor experience to those enjoying the impressive range of outdoor recreation trails and products which have been developed within the Mourne Forests over the past two years.”

The new office is located adjacent to the Grange Yard and will be operated by two Mourne Forests staff, including development manager Clare Jones who is responsible for the redevelopment of the forests and overall strategic management. Both posts were established by Outdoor Recreation Northern Ireland and are delivered through a service level agreement with the former Down Council.

Boyd McClurg, Mourne Forests Recreation Officer responsible for management of the outdoor recreation facilities, said he’s really enjoyed meeting people from the local community and visitors to the Mourne Forests.

“This new office will provide an excellent base from which to continue providing a positive visitor experience,” he added.

Clare explained the new office will provide the opportunity to develop closer working relationships with the community and visitors to the forest park.

She added: “Working alongside recognised experts, Outdoor Recreation Northern Ireland is committed to delivering the vision to put the forests of Co Down on the world stage as a place to visit through appropriate and sensitive development, careful management and excellent marketing and promotion. By enabling this to be set up on site, the local council has taken a very proactive approach to the redevelopment of the forests.”

http://www.thedownrecorder.co.uk/pages/?title=Opportunities_to_sample_many_attractions_of_Mournes

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New Mourne forests recreation office opening

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