Lord Mayor of Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon, Councillor Mealla Campbell visited the site yesterday, 23 October, to mark the grand opening. Members of Gilford Community Forum, teachers and pupils from Gilford PS (Craigavon) and St John's PS, Bannvale Special Education Centre service users and staff, funding body representatives from DAERA and SOAR along with elected members were all in attendance to celebrate the occasion.
This second phase of the £250,000 project has transformed a derelict and underutilised section of the river corridor into a quality multi-use walking and cycling trail. It has created a scenic riverside trail that stretches 845 metres and connects Bridge Street and Gilford Community Centre to Woodlands Park, passing the iconic Gilford Mill building along the way.
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Work completed during the project included a short section of walkway over the remains of the old millrace and a new footbridge across the millrace, as well as landscaping, installing street furniture, lighting and interpretative panels.
The Council acknowledged the co-operation of the owners of Gilford Mill, Karl Asset Management, which enabled this project to proceed along with The MWA Partnership Ltd, Landscape Architects and A.G. Wilson Ltd.
Lord Mayor, Cllr Campbell said: "This new amenity will be a game changer for the local community, and will hopefully motivate more individuals who lead sedentary lifestyles to increase their physical activity level and enjoy the health benefits that regular exercise brings.
"It's long been our ambition to see this section of riverside trail extended and enhanced so that the recreational value of this wonderful environmental asset can be fully appreciated.
"Creating a riverside trail was first identified as a viable project in the Gilford Village Plan 2012. Today we come together – community, council, funders and key contributors – to celebrate its successful completion. Well done to all involved!"
The second phase was completed thanks to £250,000 in funds allocated by SOAR's Local Action Group. This project was part funded under Priority 6 (LEADER) of the Northern Ireland Rural Development Programme 2014-2020 from the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs and the European Union.
(CM/MH)
