Independent Slieve Croob Councillor Patrick Clarke has welcomed his appointment to the Castlewellan Arboretum Advisory Board. At the last Enterprise, Regeneration and Tourism committee meeting of Newry Mourne and Down District Council held back in December 2015 Councillor membership was approved to take up seats on the Board with immediate effect.
Councillor Patrick Clarke said: “I very much welcome being appointed to the Castlewellan Arboretum Advisory Board.
“Castlewellan Forest Park has exceptional tourism and recreational potential. As part of an existing Service Level Agreement between the Council and Outdoor Recreation Northern Ireland (ORNI), they have been considering and preparing reports for the development of aspects of Castlewellan Forest Park.
“Outdoor Recreation Northern Ireland (ORNI) currently acts as secretariat to Castlewellan Arboretum Advisory Board and has commissioned on behalf of Council a feasibility study inclusive of a Conservation Management Plan with regards to some of the Heritage assets. ORNI will also produce a report from Castlewellan Arboretum Advisory Board with recommendations in March 2016.
“Whilst Castlewellan Forest Park is currently owned and managed by Forest Service NI, Newry Mourne and Down District Council are currently liaising with Forest Service Northern Ireland with regards to the future management of the park.
“With tourism being the key area identified by Newry Mourne and Down District Council as an economic driver for the new Council region I will be continuing to lobby both DARD, Forest Service and Council on ensuring that Castlewellan Forest Park can become one of the premier tourism and recreation attractions within Ireland.”
“I very much look forward to my role in working in partnership with Castlewellan Arboretum Advisory Board to improve Castlewellan Forest Park which will help stimulate tourism and economic benefits to Castlewellan and the Mourne Region.”
