Countryside Recreation Service

The Council’s Countryside Recreation service manages the development of opportunities for countryside recreation in the Borough through the establishment of sustainable countryside recreation projects and initiatives.

Antrim Borough Countryside Recreation Forum

Antrim Borough Countryside Recreation Forum is a voluntary independent group made up of local people with a variety of countryside recreation interests. The Forum is facilitated by Council and meets quarterly. Its members play a key role in the development and implementation of projects and initiatives by ensuring local input.

Antrim Borough Countryside Recreation Operational Plan 2005 – 2009

In 2004, members of Antrim Borough Countryside Recreation Forum, in consultation with the community and facilitated by Council, evaluated the impact of the Antrim Borough Countryside Recreation Strategy 1999 - 2004, in terms of achievements and developed a four year operational Plan to take countryside recreation in the Borough through to 2009.

Project Development

The main focus of the Countryside Recreation Service is the development of sustainable opportunities for countryside recreation activities within the Borough. There have been various live examples of this area of work including:

• The development of sections of the Loughshore Trail cycle route as it passes through the Borough
• The establishment of an Eco Trail for environmental education and elementary orienteering in Antrim Castle Gardens
• The development of the Mill Race Trail - an interpreted 3.7km walking route from Antrim town to Muckamore
• The production of a series of walking route cards for the Borough
• The construction of fishing platforms for coarse angling along the Six Mile Water
• Planting of 3,500 young trees at Muckamore in conjunction with the Woodland Trust and sixteen local schools

Focus during the first half of the Operational Plan period is likely to be on projects that have recently been successful in attracting substantial grant aid namely:

• Construction of a link path from Rea's wood to the Dublin Road for walking and cycling
• Provision of a link path within Crumlin Glen leading to Crumlin Village
• Construction of canoeing infrastructure along the Six Mile Water
• The establishment of a further Highway to Health route in conjunction with the NI Chest Heart and Stroke Association

Other developments will be subject to funding becoming available.

Events

The service offers a range of events and walks during the summer months. Copies of the programme are available on request or visit the Events/What's On page on this website.

Access to the Countryside

The service is also responsible for advising Council regarding its duties and powers under the Access to the Countryside (NI) Order 1983. An information booklet for the public in relation to the Status Investigation Procedure for paths believed to be Public Rights Of Way is available on request.

Contact

To find out more about the Countryside Recreation Service, Antrim Borough Countryside Recreation Forum, upcoming projects, access to the countryside or the events programme please contact:

Elaine Upton
Countryside Recreation Officer
T: 028 9446 3113
E: elaine.upton@antrim.gov.uk