Sperrins Outdoor Recreation 'Working' Action Plan CODE SITE

Sperrins Outdoor Recreation ‘Working’ Action Plan

CURRENT CODE SITE/TRAIL/AREA ACTION DELIVERY PARTNERS TIMESCALE STATUS*

A. MANAGEMENT STRUCTURES

Establish a 'Sperrins Partnership' like the Mourne Heritage Trust to be responsible for a A1 Sperrins-wide Central and Local Government Departments Yrs 1-5 Sperrins wide approach to the management, protection and development of the AONB Sperrins Gateway LPS, Sport NI, NIEA, Local A2 Sperrins-wide Appoint a dedicated Sperrins AONB Officer and develop an AONB management plan Yrs 1-5 Underway Councils Encourage a joined, up, shared approach to access interpretation and private land Landowners, Local Councils, Community A3 Sperrins-wide Ongoing negotiations Associations, ORNI Adopt a bottom up approach to walking development - work with the local community to Landowners, Local Councils, Community A4 Sperrins-wide Ongoing identify routes, engage and negotiate with private landowners Associations A5 Sperrins -wide Participate in the RDP consultation process with DARD regarding RDP and SFP structures Sperrins Gateway LPS, Local Councils Yrs 1 -5 Planned A6 Sperrins -wide Appoint a dedicated Outdoor Recreation Development Officer for the Sperrins region Central and Local Government Departments Yrs 1 -10

B. PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT - ACCESS Promote consultation with Disability Sport NI, groups and clubs in the planning stages of new B1 Sperrins-wide Dependent on project and lead partner Ongoing product development Investigate and develop a long -distance, cross country trail through the Sperrins and linking B2 Sperrins-wide Landowners, Local Councils Yrs 1-10 different trail centres, similar to the West Highland Way (shared use) Investigate, identify, develop and/or extend safe cycle - and walk -ways which connect Local Councils, DRD Roads Service, Community B3 Sperrins-wide Yrs 1-10 communities and green space Associations

B. PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT – ANGLING B4 River Faughan - Learmount Forest Where appropriate develop fishing access to River Faughan at Learmount Forest Learmount Community Association, Loughs Agency Yrs 1-5 Underway Loughmacrory Community Development Association B5 Lough Macrory/Moor Lough Support the development of angling facilities and events (Lough Macrory only), Loughs Agency, Local Yrs 1-5 Underway Councils, 3 Rivers Canoe Club (Moor Lough only) Landowners, Local Councils, Community B6 Rivers Develop access along rivers with benefits shared between canoeists, anglers and walkers Associations, Loughs Agency, Rivers Agency, Yrs 1-10 Landscape Partnership Schemes (LPS), Local Clubs Promote and support the development of existing angling clubs and new 'River Trusts' to Landowners, Loughs Agency, Community B7 Sperrins-wide Ongoing take responsibility of angling on water courses Associations, Clubs, Users Support local communities, angling clubs and the private sector to adopt and manage public Loughs Agency, DCAL, NI Water, Local Councils, B8 Sperrins-wide Ongoing water sites for angling development Community Associations, Local Clubs

A. PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT - CAMPING B9 Sperrins-wide Upgrade existing camping and caravanning sites Local Councils, FSNI, Private Sector Yrs 1-10 Identify and develop, where appropriate, formal camping facilities such as camping pods, Landowners, Local Councils, Community B10 Sperrins-wide Yrs 1-10 bothy's and rough camping sites similar to Barnes Gap Associations, ORNI B11 Doraville Investigate the potential for this site to become a 'mountain bothy' Private Landowner, ORNI Yrs 1-5 Planned CURRENT CODE SITE/TRAIL/AREA ACTION DELIVERY PARTNERS TIMESCALE STATUS*

B. PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT - CANOEING B12 Owenkillew River Improve canoe access / install canoe steps Local Angling Club, CANI, ORNI Yrs 1 -5 River Faughan (Park Bridge - Claudy Learmount Community Association, Honourable Irish B13 Improve canoe access to River Faughan at Park Bridge to Claudy Bridge Yrs 1-5 Planned Bridge) Society, River Faughan Anglers B14 Altnaheglish Reservoir Investigate the potential of canoeing on the Reservoir NI Water, CANI, Private Sector Yrs 1-10 LDCA, CANI, Omagh District Council, 3 Rivers B15 Lough Macrory / Moor Lough Support the development of a new canoe club at Lough Macrory and Moor Lough Yrs 1-5 Underway Canoe Club (Moor Lough only)

B. PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT - CYCLING

Omagh DC, Strabane DC, DRD Roads Service, B16 Omagh-Strabane Lobby for safe cycle lanes on new A5 between Omagh, Strabane and Newtownstewart Ongoing Community Associations, Sustrans Extend the existing cycle lane (Omagh -Gortnagarn Bridge) to Gortin Glen Forest creating a B17 Gortin-Gortnagarn Bridge Omagh DC, DRD Roads Service Yrs 1-10 better link between the village and forest B18 Sperrins-wide Develop a 'Ring of Sperrins' cycle trail for cycle touring Local Councils Yrs 1-10

B19 Glenelly Valley Investigate, develop and promote a series of 'Glenelly Valley' cycle routes Yrs 1-10 B20 Sperrins -wide Organise and promote a 'Sperrins Sportive' Yrs 1 -10 Develop village skate parks, skills loops, jumps zone, BMX and/or pump tracks where Landowners, Local Councils, Community B21 Sperrins-wide (Villages and Towns) Yrs 1-10 appropriate and where a need has been identified Associations

B. PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT - MOUNTAIN BIKING

Develop a national trail centre with x -country trails, downhill trails, a pump track and skills B22 Gortin Glen Forest Park Omagh DC, FSNI, ORNI Yrs 1-5 Planned loop where appropriate B23 Davagh Forest Extend mountain bike trails Cookstown DC, FSNI, ORNI Yrs 1-5 Planned

B24 Garvagh Forest Develop regional trail centre with formal trails Coleraine BC, FSNI, ORNI Yrs 1-5 Underway Once developed promote forests as venues to host local, regional and national mountain B25 Sperrins-wide ORNI, Private Sector Ongoing Planned bike championship events Investigate and develop, where appropriate, a x -country 'epic ride' linking trail centres at B26 Sperrins-wide Landowners, Local Councils, ORNI Ongoing Gortin Glen, Davagh and Garvagh

B. PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT - ORIENTEERING

B27 Gortin Glen Forest Park Update orienteering map Omagh DC, NI Orienteering Association (NIOA) Yrs 1-5 Planned

B28 Garvagh Forest Re-map the forest and produce an up-to-date map NIOA Yrs 1-5 Carntogher / Davagh Forest / Goles B29 Investigate the potential of these sites and where appropriate produce orienteering maps NIOA, An Carn, Cookstown DC, Strabane DC, FSNI Yrs 1-5 Planned Forest / Baronscourt Forest B30 Sperrins-wide Support the production of up-to-date orienteering maps NIOA Ongoing CURRENT CODE SITE/TRAIL/AREA ACTION DELIVERY PARTNERS TIMESCALE STATUS*

B. PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT - WALKING Private Landowner, Omagh DC, ORNI, Gortin B31 Gortin Burn Formalise pathway (reinstate permissive path) linking the Village to the Lakes Yrs 1-5 Planned Community, B32 Glenlark Forest Formalise pathway linking Glenlark Forest with Lough Lark Omagh DC, Premier Woodlands Yrs 1 -10 B33 Gortin - Owenkillew River Develop walk linking from Gortin Village to Owenkillew River Omagh DC, Gortin Community Yrs 1 -5 Identify, investigate and develop non -contentious walking routes in the uplands by engaging Landowners, Local Councils, Community B34 Sperrins-wide/Uplands Ongoing with private landowners Associations B35 Crockmore -Crockback Develop and promote formal walking on Crockmore -Crockback Sperrins Gateway LPS, Magherafelt DC, ORNI Yrs 1 -10 B36 Sperrins -wide Identify and develop spurs and loop routes off the Ulster Way through the Sperrins Local Councils, Community Associations, ORNI Ongoing

Develop and where appropriate promote Dungiven and Draperstown as ' trail centres' with B37 Dungiven and Draperstown Limavady BC, Magherafelt DC, SGLPS & Others Yrs 1-10 access to the Sperrins for walking and cycling

Landowners, Local Councils, Community B38 Sperrins-wide/Foothills Develop more low-level, non-challenging walks geared towards the family market Ongoing Associations Increase the number of quality walks, prioritising walks identified by the 'Sperrins Walking Landowners, Local Councils, Sperrins Gateway LPS, B39 Sperrins-wide Ongoing Planned Audit' ORNI Review the Ulster Way through the Sperrins and consider re -routing, especially between Sperrins-wide / Draperstown- Landowners, Sperrins Gateway LPS, Magherafelt DC, B40 Draperstown-Dungiven increasing off-road provision and taking account of accommodation Ongoing Planned Dungiven ORNI, NIEA providers, stop-over points, attractions, etc. B41 Glenelly Valley Develop a walk in Glenelly Valley incorporating Goles Forest, Cranagh and Plumbridge Landowners, Strabane DC Yrs 1 -10 Underway Link and extend existing quality walk at Lough Macrory to new paths at Lough Fingrean and B42 Lough Macrory LCDA, NI Water, ORNI Yrs 1-5 Lough Carn Local Councils, Community Associations, Sperrins B43 Sperrins-wide Focus development on more riverside and valley walks, circular and linear Ongoing Gateway LPS, ORNI B44 Gortin Glen Forest Park Improve the walking trails Omagh DC, FSNI, ORNI Yrs 1 -5 Planned

B. PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT - HUBS Landowners, Strabane DC, Loughs Agency, B45 Glenelly Valley Develop access to the Glenelly River for canoeing, fishing and walking Yrs 1-10 Community Associations, Local Clubs, CANI, UAF An Carn, Dungiven, Banagher and Landowners, Magherafelt DC, Limavady BC, B46 Develop informal walking routes which link different sites and villages Ongoing Moneynenagh Community Associations

B47 Banagher Glen Improve access and facilities at Banagher Glen Limavady BC, FSNI, NI Water Yrs 1-10 B48 Drum Manor Forest Upgrade multi-use trail system to include all-ability trails Cookstown DC, FSNI, ORNI Yrs 1-5 Planned Glenelly Valley / Mourne and Derg Strabane DC, Community Associations, NGBs, Local B49 Enhance access to and enjoyment of Glenelly, Mourne and Derg Valleys Ongoing Valleys Clubs, Users Develop and promote this area around the Forest Park, Village and Lakes as a 'hub' for B50 Gortin Glen Omagh DC, FSNI, Gortin Community, ORNI Ongoing Planned activity tourism and outdoor recreation B51 An Creagan - Loughmacrory Link An Creagan with Loughmacrory through a walking/cycling trail Landowners, LCDA, An Creagan Community, ORNI Yrs 1-10 Lough Fea, Davagh Forest and Landowners, Local Councils, Broughderg Area B52 Continue to enhance and develop access, recreation and supporting facilities Yrs 1-10 Broughderg Community Association, Clubs, Users

CURRENT CODE SITE/TRAIL/AREA ACTION DELIVERY PARTNERS TIMESCALE STATUS*

B. PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT - SERVICES & FACILITIES Sperrins Heritage Centre (within Consider the viability of the Sperrins Heritage Centre as a TIC with seasonal opening hours B52 Strabane DC, Community Associations Ongoing Glenelly Valley) or a visitor meeting point Further investigate and where appropriate promote local community centres/halls with B53 Sperrins-wide Community Associations & Others Ongoing supporting facilities for walking and biking visitors Investigate the potential of closed/abandoned buildings to be re -purposed and re -opened to Local Councils, Workspace Enterprise Ltd. B54 Abandoned/Closed Buildings Ongoing service the local community and/or visitors, e.g. Derrynoid Centre (Derrynoid House only) Support the development of visitor services and facilities for walkers and bikers (cycles and B55 Community Centres Community Associations & Others Yrs 1-5 motorbikes)

C. MARKETING & PROMOTION Organise and conduct a series of 'industry workshops' with local private sector providers to C1 Sperrins-wide ORNI, Private sector Yrs 1-10 increase awareness of activity tourism market and outdoor recreation product Create 'packaged experiences' based on the existing outdoor recreation product to appeal C2 Sperrins-wide ORNI, NITB, Private Sector Yrs 1-10 Planned to visitors, e.g. Walking and Cycling Breaks Better promote the existing assets and sites, e.g. 12 cycle routes, quality walks, C3 Sperrins-wide Loughmacrory, Springhill Estate, Banagher Glen, An Carn, An Creagan, Claudy Country Park, Local Councils Ongoing Learmount Forest, Grange Court Newtownstewart, Gortin Outdoor Activity Centre, etc C4 Sperrins -wide Better promote walker and biker friendly accommodation ORNI, NITB Ongoing Organise and conduct a series of 'awareness -raising' sessions with local communities about ORNI, NITB, Community Associations, Private C5 Sperrins-wide the benefits of leisure activities and activity tourism - encourage community buy-in / raise Yrs 1-10 Sector awareness about attractions in their area and things to see and do C6 Sperrins -wide Better promote the existing NCN network and 'Sperrins Cycle Routes' Ongoing C7 Sperrins -wide Improve the appeal of the Sperrins as both a 'short -break' and 'family' destination NITB, Private Sector, NITB Ongoing Develop and/or support the development of a 'one -stop shop' website or 'app' with details of C8 Sperrins-wide Yrs 1-10 all outdoor recreation available Develop a 'Sperrin Mountains - A Walkers Guide' to showcase the best walking in the C9 Sperrins-wide Sperrins (include a variety of graded walks, distances and itineraries sensibly planned around ORNI, NITB, Local Councils Yrs 1-10 Planned accommodation) C10 Sperrins-wide Improve signage from the road to walking trails and archaeological sites DRD Roads Service, Local Councils, NIEA Yrs 1-10 C11 Signage Improve the overall visitor welcome to the Sperrins region Local Councils, DRD Roads Service, NITB Yrs 1 -5