Outdoor recreation across Antrim and Newtownabbey has been improved thanks to funding from Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA).
Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council was successful in its application to DAERA’s 2019/20 Environmental Challenge Competition which supports projects designed to help people connect with the natural environment and to conserve our most important habitats.
The £130,000 contribution, along with Council funding enabled four key projects to be delivered across the Borough;
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The existing footbridge at Crumlin Glen has been widened, improving accessibility within this popular woodland location;
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A new off-road active travel route has been created at New Mossley which includes a new 2 metre wide walkway along with the installation of benches, bins and chicanes;
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A 1.5k woodland trail has been created within Threemilewater Park, linking the Newtownabbey Way to the existing footpath at the Doagh Road entrance;
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A new boardwalk and reinforced path surface has been created at Antrim Lough Shore Park.
Mayor of Antrim and Newtownabbey, Councillor Jim Montgomery, recently visited each of the projects;
“It’s fantastic that Council has been able to deliver these improvements to our sites during a time where outdoor recreation has never been more popular. This funding from DAERA has further opened up some of our most popular sites within the Borough, ensuring they can be enjoyed by people of all abilities.”
Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs Minister Edwin Poots, MLA said
“I am delighted that my Department was able to provide funding for the four projects delivered by Antrim & Newtownabbey Borough Council in 2019/20. The Council has used this funding to create and enhance outdoor recreation opportunities that promote health, well-being, understanding, appreciation and action for the environment and access so that citizens can enjoy the value of our natural environment in Northern Ireland.”
As part of the funding package, environmental awareness signage will also be installed at each of the sites, providing information to users on how to protect the sustainability of the area.