Councillor Córa Corry welcomes Derrynoid forest spruce up by Council

The drive to develop outdoor recreation opportunities as part of Mid Ulster District Council’s capital programme continues in 2023. Work, carried out in partnership with Forest Service NI, has started on the first project this year to benefit from investment by DAERA and Mid Ulster District Council, at Derrynoid Forest, which lies on the outskirts of Draperstown.
This project, alongside an upcoming one at Drumcairne Forest, which were initially part of a £560K investment package, is near completion and is funded under the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) Tackling Rural Poverty and Social Isolation (TRPSI) Programme and by Mid Ulster District Council.
Council Chairperson, Councillor Córa Corry (Sinn Féin) welcoming the progress of work on new improvements at Derrynoid said: “Council is committed to offering outdoor recreational opportunities and experiences to our local community, which are free to access and have health, wellbeing, and wider community benefits.  The much needed work that is near completion at Derrynoid will increase access to these underutilised forest sites, provide safer and more pleasant trails, and allow for families to visit, taking a picnic to have a great day out, encouraging future generations to engage with the natural environment.

“Getting outside and enjoying the natural environment is really important tor people’s health and wellbeing.  Forest Parks are great places for people to do this.  The improved facilities in Derrynoid will be a great benefit for our rural community and visitors while representing a significant investment by DAERA and Mid-Ulster District Council in the local area.
“The project at Derrynoid is a further example of how collaboration and developing partnerships between DAERA and local councils can work really well on the ground and where people can see real and tangible benefits.
“Improvements at Derrynoid include increased provision at the current car park within the site, including the addition of accessible car parking spaces, trail Path upgrades with resurfacing and drainage on existing walking trails and new bench seating, bike racks and picnic tables including accessible provision will be installed, just in time for the summer season. They also include visitors being helped find their way around the trails and find out about the history of the site through new signage provision to include way-marking, signage, and interpretation.

“ I commend our council officers and staff on successfully securing an extra £104,600 for this and the project at Drumcairne Forest, through the latest round of Shared Prosperity Funding, coming close on the heels of the recent announcement of securing £9M for the regeneration of Maghera. This award will make up part of the matched funding elements for the Derrynoid and Drumcairne projects, and so will allow us to unlock additional investment to further support the development of outdoor spaces under our Outdoor Recreation Strategy, currently in its third year across the district.”