£1.1million investment delivers first-class new facilities at Gortin Glen Forest Park - Poots

Visitors to Gortin Glens Forest Park will benefit from a wide range of new facilities following the completion of extensive enhancements, Rural Development Minister Edwin Poots MLA has said.

The re-development includes a Destination Play Park, Trim trail, 13 kilometres of exhilarating mountain bike trails, five waymarked walking trails of varying lengths for all abilities, a modernised café and accessible toilet provision, a forest educational centre and campsite, which Department for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) and Fermanagh and Omagh District Council have funded.

Touring the new facilities at Gortin Glen Forest Park, Minister Poots said: “On my visit to Gortin Glens it is easy to see how visitors will benefit from these new first-class enhanced facilities at the Forest. The benefits of this investment is clear to see from the massive increase in visitors to over 160,000 visitors in 2021 clearly demonstrating the interest in, and use of the local park. Attracting such numbers helps to create a sustainable living, working, active rural landscape valued by everyone.”

The Minister added: “The development of effective partnership arrangements with Fermanagh and Omagh District Council has been critical to providing this range of facilities for people to enjoy. I warmly congratulate the Council on their ongoing endeavours in providing better services and facilities for users of Gortin Glens Forest Park. Indeed Council and DAERA are currently working closely to further develop the Forest by enhancing the Tourism element with a Sculpture being erected at Mullaghcarn as an integral part of the Sperrins Sculpture Trail.”

The improvements form part of Council’s plans to develop the forest into a must visit family friendly destination which will have significant appeal for residents and visitors alike and has to date resulted in five jobs being created. Council have received funding of £1.1million of DAERA funding through its Tackling Rural Poverty and Social Isolation (TRPSI) budget.

In concluding the Minister continued: “The ongoing Forest Park Enhancement and Community Trails Development Scheme fits very well with my Department’s Tackling Rural Poverty and Social Isolation Framework priorities. It addresses important issues such as isolation, loneliness, access and health and well-being.

“Our Forests currently attract almost nine million visits each year and delivers outcomes for local dwellers by enhancing and creating spaces that will encourage people to  adopt to a more healthy and active lifestyle. My Department will continue to support and enable activities that promote and encourage responsible recreational opportunities in our forest parks for the benefit of Northern Ireland.”

Minister also visited nearby Glenpark Estate to meet local representatives from the Munterloney Initative for an update on progress including visiting a local tourism project at the site.

Watch minister’s video on Gortin Glen Forest Park.

Notes to editors: 

1. Photo caption - DAERA Minister Edwin pictured touring the new facilities at Gortin Forest Park with Alison McCullagh (Chief Exec Fermanagh & Omagh District Council), Kim McLaughlin (Director of Regeneration & Planning Fermanagh & Omagh District Council), Minister Poots & Errol Thompson (Chairman Fermanagh & Omagh District Council).

2. Gortin Glen Forest Park is located six miles from Omagh, Co Tyrone at the western gateway to the Sperrin Mountains, taking in part of the Ulster Way Walking Route. Fermanagh and Omagh District Council have extensively enhanced the visitor experience at Gortin Glens Forest Park.

3. In Phase 1, funding provided 13 km of multi-use trails, including Red and Blue Grade Mountain Bike Trails, a Destination Playpark, walking trail upgrade works and a new way-marked trail to the summit of Mullaghcarn 452m above sea level.  Total Project Cost was £1,141,824 with DAERA and Council providing £570,912 each.

4. Phase 2 further enhanced the trail network by creating an additional 9km of trails, enhancing the trail network to five waymarked trails of varying lengths. The refurbishment of the cáfe and the education building have opened the park up to young people from schools, youth groups, scouting groups amongst others, and with additional BBQ and picnic areas added in, they have provided a family orientated outdoor experience in Gortin Glens Forest. The Total Project Cost for this phase 2 was £1,000,060 with DAERA and Council providing 50% each, £530,000.

5. The Phase 1 and 2 enhancements have attracted vastly increased visitor numbers to the Park. There were over 121,000 visitors in 2020 and in 2021 167,000 visitors recorded.

6. Additionally this investment has had a positive sustainable economic impact on the greater Omagh / Gortin area. FODC have employed 2 fulltime rangers and the café is leased on a contract to Siobhan O Connor.  At the Glenpark Estate, on the site of the former Ulster History Park, in close proximity to the Forest park, husband and wife team Richard and Selina Beattie have recently opened the first phase of their redevelopment of the History Park, offering 24 caravan/camper van pitches and a small campsite area.

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8. All media queries should be directed to the DAERA Press Office: pressoffice.group@daera-ni.gov.uk

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