NeighbourWood Scheme bears fruit with new forest recreation facilities

COILLTE has officially opened enhanced forest recreational facilities at Belleek Wood, Ballina, Co Mayo.

The facility was developed under the NeighbourWood Scheme, and was formally unveiled by Seán Connick, Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food with responsibility for forestry.

The minister congratulated Coillte for developing the facilities, in partnership with the Belleek Enhancement Committee and Mayo County Council, at the forest, including a wheelchair friendly route which stretches along the main walking path of this wonderful local amenity at Belleek Forest.

Mr Connick said: “This project was approved for funding under the NeighbourWood Scheme administered by my department. This scheme is aimed at promoting the development, through local partnerships, of attractive close-to-home woodlands for public use and enjoyment.

Referring to the development of the wheelchair accessible walk, he added: “In this, the 50th year of the Irish Wheelchair Association, today’s opening of a completely wheelchair accessible forest walk here in Belleek Wood is a fitting way to celebrate it.”

Coillte also took measures in Belleek Wood to halt the decline in the native red squirrel population, such as the preservation of red squirrel habitats and the diversity of trees in Belleek. The newly enhanced facility will provide a nature reserve for the red squirrel.