Over €32,000 for recreation projects
OUTDOOR recreation projects in Wicklow received funding to the tune of €32,600 this week as the first part of the 2018 Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme was announced.
A variety of projects around the county benefited from funding ranging from €2,000 to €10,800.
The largest grant of €10,800 was awarded to the Aughrim Lake Access Improvement project and will facilitate the maintenance and enhancement of disability access trail to the lake. Develop a small visually sensitive slipway onto the lake to provide access for a maintenance craft.
Also in Aughrim, the Sean Lenihan Way repair works will receive €8,000 towards the purchase materials and equipment to assist in repair and enhancement of the trail.
Mining sites also received a boost of €8,600 so that a 20km trail can be created which will link up the six main lead mining sites in Wicklow at Glendasan, Glendalough, Van Diemen’s Land, Ballinafunshoge, Ballinagoneen and Baravore.
The sum of €3,200 was granted for the production of Walk Heritage Trail leaflets which will see a series of brochures with maps of the route which highlight and promote points of interest associated with the long distance route while €2,000 has been allocated for the development of leaflers highlighting local walking trails.
The funding was announced by Minister for Rural and Community Development, Michael Ring, T.D. who said ‘Recreational tourism is a growing sector in Ireland’s tourism offering, and we have seen an increase in the number of Irish and overseas visitors enjoying the many greenways, blueways and walking trails which have been developed around the country in the last few years.’
‘Improved recreational facilities significantly enhance the quality of life for people who live close to the projects and also support sustainable economic development in rural areas. We have seen this time and again with the projects supported by this scheme since its introduction in 2016,’ he said.
He outlined that the type of projects funding through this scheme includes greenways, cycleways and loop walks.