Mid Ulster District Council Outdoor Recreation Strategic Plan Prepared by Outdoor Recreation NI on behalf of Mid Ulster District Council October 2019 CONTENTS CONTENTS ...................................................................................................................................................................................... 1 TABLE OF FIGURES .................................................................................................................................................... 6 TABLE OF TABLES ...................................................................................................................................................... 5 ACRONYMS ........................................................................................................................................................ 6 FOREWORD ........................................................................................................................................................ 7 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ...................................................................................................................................... 8 1.1 Introduction .......................................................................................................................................12 1.2 Aim ....................................................................................................................................................12 1.3 Objectives .........................................................................................................................................13 1.4 Outdoor Recreation defined ..............................................................................................................15 1.5 Benefits of Outdoor Recreation .........................................................................................................15 1.5.1 Health and Well-Being ...............................................................................................................15 1.5.2 Environmental Awareness .........................................................................................................15 1.5.3 Community Cohesion and Social inclusion.................................................................................15 1.5.4 Growing the Economy ................................................................................................................16 2. SCOPE .......................................................................................................................................................... 16 2.1 Project Area ......................................................................................................................................17 3. CONTEXT ..................................................................................................................................................... 24 3.1 Introduction .......................................................................................................................................24 3.1.1 Draft Northern Ireland Programme for Government 2016 – 2021 ................................................25 3.1.2 Sport Matters - The Northern Ireland Strategy for Sport and Physical Recreation 2009 – 2019 ......25 3.1.3 Our Great Outdoors - The Outdoor Recreation Action Plan for Northern Ireland..........................26 3.1.4 Exercise, Explore and Enjoy – A Strategic Plan for Greenways ..................................................26 3.1.5 Mountain Bike Strategy for Northern Ireland 2014 –2024 ...........................................................28 3.1.6 Mid Ulster District Council Corporate Plan 2015 – 2019..............................................................28 3.1.7 Mid Ulster District Council Community Plan ................................................................................29 3.1.8 Mid Ulster District Council Village Plans .....................................................................................30 3.1.9 Tourism Strategy and Action Plan for 2016 – 2021 for Mid Ulster District Council ........................30 4. METHODOLOGY .......................................................................................................................................... 31 5. CURRENT PROVISION ................................................................................................................................ 32 5.1 Introduction .......................................................................................................................................32 5.2 Key providers of outdoor recreation ...................................................................................................34 5.2.1 Sperrins Gateway Landscape Partnership .................................................................................34 5.2.2 Blackwater Regional Partnership ...............................................................................................34 5.2.3 The Lough Neagh Partnership ....................................................................................................34 Page 1 of 149 5.2.4 Community Associations ............................................................................................................34 5.2.5 Outdoor Activity Providers ...........................................................................................................35 5.3 Land-based Activities ........................................................................................................................36 5.3.1 Adventure Racing .......................................................................................................................36 5.3.2 Archery .......................................................................................................................................36 5.3.3 Boot Camps ................................................................................................................................36 5.3.4 Bushcraft ....................................................................................................................................36 5.3.5 Clay Pigeon Shooting ..................................................................................................................36 5.3.6 Climbing .....................................................................................................................................37 5.3.7 Fell running .................................................................................................................................37 5.3.8 High Ropes / Ziplines ..................................................................................................................37 5.3.9 Horse Riding ...............................................................................................................................37 5.3.10 Mountain Boarding ....................................................................................................................37 5.3.11 Paintballing ................................................................................................................................37 5.3.12 Segway .....................................................................................................................................37 5.3.13 Zorbing .....................................................................................................................................37 5.3.14 Walking .....................................................................................................................................39 5.3.15 Cycling ......................................................................................................................................42 5.3.16 Mountain Biking ........................................................................................................................44 5.3.16.1 Davagh Forest (National Trail Centre) ...................................................................................44 5.3.16.2 Blessingbourne Estate (Regional Trail Centre) ......................................................................44 5.3.17 Orienteering .............................................................................................................................46 5.4 Water-based Activities ......................................................................................................................48 5.4.1 Angling .......................................................................................................................................48 5.4.2 Boat Cruising ..............................................................................................................................48 5.4.3 Water skiing / Wakeboarding ......................................................................................................48 5.4.4 Jet Skiing ....................................................................................................................................48 5.4.5 Sailing .........................................................................................................................................48 5.4.5 Canoeing / Kayaking ..................................................................................................................50 5.5 Air-based Activities ............................................................................................................................52