Minister Ring Launches New Resource To Assist Develop New Tracks & Trails
A Guide to Planning & Developing Recreational Trails in Ireland is a new and comprehensive guide to assist all agencies and community groups in the planning and development of recreational trails in Ireland. This includes walking trails, off road cycling trails, shared use trails and other recreational amenities such as canoe trails and horse riding trails. The guide sets out in some detail the full range of issues that need to be considered by developers at the planning stage of all trail developments.
Podcast
| Michael Ring TD, Minister of State at the Department of Transport, Tourism & Sport at the launch of the Guide to Planning & Developing Recreational Trails in Ireland 2012 - Listen |
State investment in the development of recreational trails has grown from €1.8 million in 2005 up to approximately €9.2 million in 2010. Total direct expenditure arising from the use of recreational trails for walking is estimated at between €184.1 million and €233.7 million annually.
Minister Michael Ring launched the new publication at a special seminar on Trail Management Best Practice in Dublin. He told the representatives of the various agencies involved in outdoor recreation in Ireland; "Outdoor recreation makes a huge major contribution to tourism and to sport in Ireland. We want to encourage the development of a world class trails network in Ireland. This new publication is another contribution to that goal. As well as practical assistance it offers the invaluable advice that all developers need to ensure good consultation with landowners and all other interested parties, and to plan for sustainable trails that meet user needs on a long term basis."
The new Guide has been written by the National Trails Office, an operational unit of Irish Sports Council, and has been endorsed by all agencies and organisations involved with the planning and development of recreational trails in Ireland, including the three farming organisations ( IFA, ICMSA, ICSA). The National Trails Office works with a range of State Organisation in the coordination and planning of recreational trail development in Ireland including Fلilte Ireland, Waterways Ireland, Coillte, National Parks & Wildlife Service, Local Authorities, County Development Companies and many voluntary Community Groups around the country.
The Irish Trail system is made up of over 500 developed walking, cycling and other recreational trails located right around the country. This network includes long distance walking routes, national Looped walks, Forest and National Park Trails, Inland Waterway Trails, and shared use Greenways. The National Trails Office maintains a register of all recreational trail development in Ireland, promotes standards and good practice in respect to trail development in Ireland and undertakes a range of awareness building initiatives to increase awareness and usage of trails by Irish people.
John Treacy, Chief Executive of the Irish Sports Council commenting at the seminar said. "Walking and Cycling are two of the most popular and important forms of physical activity in Ireland today. Recreational trails attract many Irish people into the countryside and also attract overseas visitors to the country for walking, cycling and activity holidays. We are delighted to offer new resources to those people and groups who wish to develop new trails for public use".
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