Pictured at the commencement of the development of a Community Trails Plan for the Donegal Municipal District, (left to right) Cllr Michéal Naughton, Paddy Doherty Divisional Manager Community Development, Humphrey Murphy ILC Consultancy, Cllr Noel Jordan, Cllr Barry Sweeny, Cllr Michael McMahon, Cllr Tom Conaghan, and Cllr Niamh Kennedy.
The Elected Members of the Donegal Municipal District met last week to officially commence the development of a Community Trails Plan for the Donegal MD. This initiative is the first of its kind in the district and indeed in County Donegal and will seek to inform the sustainable development of walks paths and trails for the communities in the Donegal MD.
The purpose of the Community Trails Plan is to provide a roadmap guiding communities and informing the sustainable development and management of a network of walks/paths/trails with a focus on local communities enabling doorstep walking whilst still preserving the ecological and culturally rich natural environment that is unique South Donegal.
Delivering on the actions of the Donegal Outdoor Recreation Strategy, which was funded by the Donegal Local Community Development Committee/Local Action Group (LCDC/LAG), and launched by Heather Humphrey’s, Minster for Social Protection and Rural & Community Development in June last year, the 6 Elected Members of the Donegal Municipal District made the informed decision to collectively pool a percentage of their annual DFI allocation to deliver this plan and on the aspirations of their local communities.
Speaking at the briefing today, Cllr Niamh Kennedy Chair of the Donegal Local Community Development Committee said;
‘’ The Community Trails Plan will look at and document as many walks and paths as possible across the district, connecting communities and amenities. Delivering on the actions in the Donegal Outdoor Recreation Strategy and as the 6 Elected Members of the Donegal Municipal District we collectively agreed to invest in the development of this plan, as a strategic piece of work that communities and officials can work with. We are delighted to start this process today, which we have been working with officials in the council for a number of months now. Everyone is out walking now and enjoying the beautiful landscape that we have in Donegal and this plan will support communities who want to develop or connect a path or a walk in their local area.’’
Leading out on the project the Ballyshannon Regeneration Group represented by Councillor Barry Sweeny said;
‘’Approaching the strategic development of the path network across the district in this way is really the only way forward – working in collaboration between ourselves as elected Members, our communities, statutory organisations and the officials of Donegal County Council bringing together and sharing a whole range of information, to connect communities and places. We are really excited about this project and look forward to working with the consultant and with our communities.’’
This work is supported by the Community Development Division of Donegal County Council, led by Director of Community Development Liam Ward who confirmed;
‘’There is some incredible work going on across the County to improve our outdoor spaces, and we are more than ever aware of the importance of looking after our environment. This work through the Community Trails Plan will consider and consolidate this collective work and I commend the vision and commitment of the elected members and the local communities in the Donegal MD in driving this project forward.’’
Humphrey Murphy from ILC has been appointed as the lead consultant to deliver the Community Trails Plan for the Donegal MD and are working with the Community Development Division of the Council in developing the Plan.
Conversations with Our Communities is a hugely important element of this work and over the coming weeks and months a programme of community engagement will commence seeking to learn from our communities and how we can better connect our places and spaces for everyone across the Donegal MD.
