The new 4.6km trails were officially opened by the Lord Mayor of Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon, Councillor Julie Flaherty.
She said: "It was a great honour for me to cut the ribbon and officially declare the brand new walking trails at Darkley open, and what an absolutely beautiful place it is.
"It is wonderful to see something that the community has wanted for so long coming to fruition and I know that these trails will really make a difference to the lives of those living within the Darkley area. This Forest was once inaccessible but now residents have something truly unique to enjoy right here on their doorsteps. So get out, experience and explore this fantastic new facility!"
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Work began on site earlier this year following extensive consultation with the community who decided that a walking trail was a priority project for the area.
The scheme was designed by Hugh Clixby, and delivered in partnership with Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council, Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Development (DAERA) – Rural Affairs Division and Forest Service – and Outdoor Recreation NI (ORNI). Funding was provided from DEARA's Targeting Rural Poverty and Social Isolation (TRPSI) programme and from the National Lottery through Sport Northern Ireland's 'Every Body Active: Outdoor Spaces' programme.
Forest Service Chief Executive John Joe O'Boyle said: "Our forests are an outstanding and valuable natural resource. The excellent new facilities here at Darkley Forest are a great example of partnership working delivering a living, active landscape valued by all through the social and recreational benefits it creates for local communities."
Sport NI Chief Executive Antoinette McKeown added: "Northern Ireland boasts a rich variety of outdoor spaces and Sport NI is delighted to be investing in projects like this which are helping communities to connect to the natural environment through sport and physical activity. Every day, National Lottery players are helping people across Northern Ireland enjoy, engage and excel in sport and we look forward to seeing these new trails help more people in the Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon area get active and get involved."
(CM/MH)
