New £80,000 park trail will improve health and wellbeing for people of Lisburn - Poots

A new £80,000 park trail will allow the people of Lisburn to enjoy the outdoors and get closer to nature, resulting in improved health and wellbeing, Environment Minister Edwin Poots MLA has said.

Minister Poots was speaking as he viewed the completed first phase of the project, which includes the creation of an access pathway and water crossing from Glenmore Activity Centre into Deadwall Plantation.

Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council received funding of £50,000 from DAERA’s 2020/21 Environmental Challenge Fund for this first phase. Additional funding of £30,000 from DAERA has been offered to facilitate a second stage of this path being developed later this year which will provide a link to the Lagan towpath.Minister Poots said:

“I am delighted to have the opportunity to walk the new park trail here in Lisburn, which received £50,000 from my Department’s Environmental Challenge Fund for the first phase of development.

“Projects like this are important in sustaining and improving the health and wellbeing of local residents, both young and old. This particular 1.75km park trail, with its paths, wood carvings and habitats, will raise awareness of biodiversity and allow the people of Lisburn to get closer to nature as it provides an access route around a Site of Local Nature Conservation Importance (SLNCI) located within Lagan Valley Regional Park.

“This is a facility that can and should be enjoyed by people of all abilities, providing a new opportunity for outdoor recreation and physical activity in a natural wildlife setting. I’m particularly impressed by the inclusion of a ‘Map for All’, provided by the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB).

“Finally, I would like to congratulate Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council on the design and development of the first phase of this resource and look forward to the completion of the second phase, which will be funded by £30,000 from my Department, linking to the Lagan towpath.”

Notes to editors: 

1. Photo Caption: Environment Minister Edwin Poots MLA is pictured at the new Glenmore Park Trail in Lisburn, which was funded through DAERA's Environmental Challenge Fund. £50,000 was provided for the first phase of the project, with a further £30,000 being offered for the completion of the second phase, which will see the trail linking up to the Lagan towpath.
2. The Department is currently managing a multi-year Environment Fund to support not-for-profit organisations and councils across Northern Ireland to deliver key environmental priorities in areas of environmental protection; improvement and monitoring of habitats and species; the quality of fresh and coastal waters and air; promotion of health, well-being, understanding, appreciation and action for the environment and access to the natural environment.
3. The signage includes a ‘Map for All’ which is a product from the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB).  Key features of these innovative mapping solutions includes a mixture of layers, raised large print, braille lettering, tactile and visual symbols and a variety of colours and textures. This enables blind and partially sighted people to enjoy their surroundings independently.
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5. All media queries should be directed to the DAERA Press Office.
6. The Executive Information Service operates an out of hours service for media enquiries only between 1800hrs and 0800hrs Monday to Friday and at weekends and public holidays. The duty press officer can be contacted on 028 9037 8110

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