Funding Announced for 5 Outdoor Recreation Projects

Funding Announced for 5 Outdoor Recreation Projects

County Wicklow is to receive a funding of allocation of over €58,000 for five outdoor recreational amenities and associated projects.

This welcome news forms part of today’s announcement from the Department of Rural and Community Development that over €1.8 million in funding has been approved for 109 projects across the country under Measure 1 of the 2019 Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme.

The projects in County Wicklow which have received funding are:

Donard Glens Walking Trails – Fauna Loop:
Development of a walking trail, including installation of trail infrastructure, signage, maps, gates and benches.€7,200.00

Wicklow Long Distance Walks:
Production of a series of informative videos on each of the Wicklow Walks. €14,720

Wicklow Way Infrastructure:
Upgrade of 10 information Trail Boards, new signage and repair works on Wicklow Way. €20,000

Knockananna Walking Loops:
Development of looped walking trail from the village of Knockananna including trail infrastructure, signage, map, gates and benches. €7,840

Baltinglass Cycle Trails Project:
Establishment of a network of marked on road looped cycling trails around Baltinglass. Works include trail headboard/design and installation and signage on route. €8,800

The Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure is part of the Government’s Project Ireland 2040 Rural Regeneration and Development programme, and provides funding for the development and maintenance of outdoor amenities such as trails, walkways, cycleways and blueways.

The funding awarded today will support small-scale local projects with funding of up to €20,000 for investment in outdoor recreation facilities and the promotion of existing recreation infrastructure.

Further announcements in relation to mid-sized and larger projects which have applied for funding under separate strands of the Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme, are expected to be made soon.

According to the statement issued by the Department of Rural and Community Development:

“Our investment in outdoor recreation facilities and infrastructure also pays a significant economic dividend. Thousands of tourists make walking, hiking, cycling and other outdoor pursuits an important part of their stay in Ireland”.

“Last year alone, almost 2.7 million overseas visitors engaged in some form of cross country walking or hiking, while over 0.5 million visitors incorporated cycling into their stay. In addition, one in four of us included walking or hiking as part of our domestic holidays last year”.