Approximately £1.1 million was invested in a Destination Play Park, Trim trail, 13 kilometres of mountain bike trails, five waymarked walking trails of varying lengths for all abilities, a modernised café and accessible toilet provision, a forest educational centre and campsite.
Funded by the Department for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) and Fermanagh and Omagh District Council, this major redevelopment serves to develop the forest into a must visit family friendly destination which will have significant appeal for residents and visitors alike.
Touring the new facilities at Gortin Glen Forest Park, DAERA Minister Edwin Poots said: "On my visit to Gortin Glens it is easy to see how visitors will benefit from these new first-class enhanced facilities at the Forest. The benefits of this investment is clear to see from the massive increase in visitors to over 160,000 visitors in 2021 clearly demonstrating the interest in, and use of the local park. Attracting such numbers helps to create a sustainable living, working, active rural landscape valued by everyone.
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"The development of effective partnership arrangements with Fermanagh and Omagh District Council has been critical to providing this range of facilities for people to enjoy. I warmly congratulate the Council on their ongoing endeavours in providing better services and facilities for users of Gortin Glens Forest Park. Indeed Council and DAERA are currently working closely to further develop the Forest by enhancing the Tourism element with a Sculpture being erected at Mullaghcarn as an integral part of the Sperrins Sculpture Trail."
The Minister added: "The ongoing Forest Park Enhancement and Community Trails Development Scheme fits very well with my Department's Tackling Rural Poverty and Social Isolation Framework priorities. It addresses important issues such as isolation, loneliness, access and health and well-being.
"Our Forests currently attract almost nine million visits each year and delivers outcomes for local dwellers by enhancing and creating spaces that will encourage people to adopt to a more healthy and active lifestyle. My Department will continue to support and enable activities that promote and encourage responsible recreational opportunities in our forest parks for the benefit of Northern Ireland."
