€417,000 for outdoor amenities in Westmeath
Minister Peter Burke has confirmed today that four new outdoor projects across Westmeath will be developed in the coming months, and €417,259 is being invested.
Under the Outdoor Infrastructure Recreation Scheme, funding is allocated for the development and promotion of outdoor amenities such as trails, walkways and cycleways. Earlier in the year, six projects received up to €20,000 each for smaller-scale works, such as the Rahanine Bog Walk and car parking facilities at Ballinafid Lake to make the area more accessible.
The funding announced today is for larger-scale projects (value up to €200,000), and the money will go to projects in Tyrrellspass, Kinnegad, Ballymore and Baylin.
Minister Burke said it was positive to see outdoor nature trails being developed for use by families and tourists.
“The value we place on our outdoor amenities, and the contribution which they make to our wellbeing, has never been more appreciated than during the Covid-19 pandemic. I know during the height of lockdown, getting out for a walk along the boardwalk on the canal or to Scragh Bog Trail with my family was a much-needed break, so to see more outdoor facilities being developed is a positive step for communities across the county.
“€160,866 will be used to develop a new Tyrrellspass Raised Bog and Village Trail. It will include the installation of a boardwalk across a section of Cloncrow Raised Bog and the adjoining bog woodland connecting with, and highlighting, the village of Tyrrellspass.
“In Lough Sewdy in Ballymore, the facilities are being upgraded with a grant of €85,000. This will improve the jetty facilities, install a slipway for boats, increase the picnic and recreation areas and install biodiversity and wildlife facilities. This will be welcome for the community and the committee who invest many voluntary hours working on plans to develop this amenity.
“A new ‘Boreen Bradach Looped Walk’ in Kinnegad will be developed. This project will involve the creation of a dedicated pedestrian and cycle path along the L1015 as part of the popular walking loop known as Boreen Bradach and will provide a continuous off-road link for pedestrians and cyclists from the L5014 through to the R146 in Kinnegad – €126,393 has been budgeted for this new project.
“And in Athlone, €45,000 will be spent on linking two existing trails in the Carn Park, Baylin area to develop a Carn Park Link trail.
“This funding as confirmed by my colleague Minister Heather Humphreys, is to be warmly welcomed and I particularly commend the investment going to our smaller towns and villages, and not just provincial centres and cities.
“We should all have equal access to nature trails and scenic outdoor accessible areas where we can walk or cycle, and picnic areas for families. In the past, many such services were limited to more urban areas but now they are available closer to home for all.
“I commend both the local volunteer committees involved in running these amenities, as well as Westmeath County Council for submitting the applications on behalf of communities to the Department of Rural Affairs.
“I continue to work with Minister Humphreys to ensure that Westmeath gets its fair share of new rural projects, and investment in rural areas persists.”