Independent Councillor Patrick Clarke has welcomed news regarding Newry Mourne and Down District Council taking over Forest Parks such as Castlewellan and Tollymore which will now form part of the discussions regarding the wider strategic context of forest parks within Newry Mourne and Down District Council. Developing a strategic plan for Forests will be the responsibility of the Enterprise, Regeneration Tourism committee.
Councillor Clarke had previously written to the Minister for DARD, Forest Service and also to the Director of Enterprise, Regeneration and Tourism of Newry Mourne and Down District Council on how matters and plans are progressing regarding the Newry Mourne and Down District Council finally taking over full responsibility and running for Castlewellan Forest Park and the surrounding amenities within the Forest Park.
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In Castlewellan Forest Park lies the Annesley home looking south to the Mournes over Castlewellan Lake.[/caption]
Speaking after the full Council meeting of Newry Mourne and Down District Councillors on Monday 1 June Clle Clarke said: “I welcome that the Director of Enterprise, Regeneration and Tourism Committee, Marie Ward, advised Councillors at Monday night’s full Council meeting that she is working through a range of documents and Service Level Agreements relating to the wider strategic context of Forest Parks within the new Council region.
“A number of meetings will be taking place between Council with organisations such as Outdoor Recreation NI who have already overseen the redevelopment of Walking Trails at Bunkers Hill, the Mountain Bike and Walking Trails and other outdoor recreation developments and activities within Castlewellan Forest Park.
“The Enterprise, Regeneration Tourism Committee will now be responsible for a lot of the development, plans and moving forward with how best to develop Forest Parks such as Castlewellan and Tollymore. “I am pleased that the Director of ERT informed Councillors how she is progressing plans and also working towards signing and taking over the Forest Parks from DARD and Forest Service which she hopes will be very soon.
“With the recent opening and establishment of the Mourne Forests Recreation Office in Castlewellan Forest Park Council on 1 June, Council now have a physical base and present to further develop our Forests.
“The ongoing development of the outdoor recreation within the forests in the Mournes with the establishment of a Mourne Forests Recreation Office in Castlewellan Forest Park will ensure that Forests such as Castlewellan Forest Park become one of the premier tourism and recreation attractions within Ireland,” added Cllr Clarke.
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