Green infrastructure improvements have been successfully completed at Claudy Country Park in L'Derry.

Upgrades to the play area at the location as well as safety and access works in the wider park were carried out as part of the green infrastructure enhancement project, which was made possible by funding from the COVID Recovery Small Settlements Programme.

Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council, Councillor Lilian Seenoi-Barr and Infrastructure Minister John O'Dowd attended the official opening of the park.

At the opening, Infrastructure Minister O'Dowd said: "The Small Settlements Regeneration Programme is a great example of Departments working together to deliver real change in how people live and work bringing tangible benefits to our rural communities by supporting initiatives on the ground.

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"I am delighted that my department was able to contribute £140,500 to this project at Claudy. This is a fantastic outdoor space where locals and visitors can take some time to relax and enjoy the natural environment."

Also speaking at the opening, Mayor Barr said the enhancements will improve community life in the Claudy area.

"High quality greenspaces in rural areas can make a huge contribution to people's mental and physical health, as well as being a focus for community pride and social interaction," she said.

"We are delighted to be working with the funding Departments to further enhance these popular greenspaces."

The Small Settlements Programme aims to support a range of regeneration and active travel interventions targeting small settlements (with a population of less than 5,000 people) that will attract investors and visitors and create vital and viable villages that meet the needs of local citizens and the surrounding areas.

Out of the close to £2.5m in funding secured by council for the programme, £1m has been allocated towards the three greenspace projects, with the remaining budget committed to a commercial façade painting scheme and associated environmental improvements within eight settlements.

The three green infrastructure (GI) projects have been drawn up to meet community requests as identified through the Green Infrastructure Plan.

Other GI projects in the scheme include Learmount Forest, Park Village, which will include path improvements, new seats, picnic benches and better signage, and Vaughan's Holm, Newtownstewart, including new paths, widening of riverside path and additional seats and signage.