A new generation of ‘forest parks’ is planned as the Government encourages increased use of its green spaces for recreation.
The Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture manages 7,000 acres of plantations, alongside 18 national glens.
Use of the plantations for recreational use such as walking, running, cycling and horse riding, as well as organised events such as motorcycle trials and rallying, is already widespread. However, DEFA hopes new amenities and attractions will encourage more leisure users – in line with one of its core aims, promoting the active enjoyment of the Island.
Visitors are already flocking to South Barrule Forest Park, where Segway, Laser Mayhem and the recently extended Ape Mann are proving to be popular attractions.
The car park has been extended and there are plans to redevelop the former forestry depot, with ideas under consideration include camping pods, a café and a shop and offering cycles for hire.
DEFA is working with the Manx Mountain Bike Club to construct a mountain bike ‘skills loop’ at South Barrule to complement existing 1km and 5km bike trails. Trails also exist at Archallagan Forest Park and Arrasey Plantation.
South Barrule’s ponds will be improved for the benefit of wildlife and visitors.
Archallagan, the Island’s largest continuous woodland, has been christened theForest of a thousand trails. While most of the routes are via unmarked paths, Archallagan boasts a newly created junior mountain bike track, an exercise trail and a play area thanks to volunteers from the End to End Legacy project and Zurich International. The recently opened orienteering course at Archallagan is already attracting visitors of all ages.
Conrhenny, on the outskirts of Onchan, is a community woodland project where the Department has created two new ponds, picnic areas and a way-marked exercise trail. There is a series of mountain bike trails created by a local volunteer group called Loaghtan Loaded. It is also home to the Children’s Wood, where primary school children have grown and planted 3,000 broadleaf trees over the past six years in the Trees for Life initiative.
Improved road signage will soon point the way to South Barrule Forest Park, Archallagan Forest Park and Conrhenny Community Woodland.
Recreational opportunities in plantations will be promoted through new onsite interpretation, signage, leaflets, the Government’s website, social media and events such as guided walks.
Richard Ronan MHK, Minister for Environment, Food and Agriculture, said:
‘DEFA is working with other Government Departments and with many non-Government organisations to promote the use of its land for physical activity and recreation, because of the obvious benefits to health.
‘We are creating multi-purpose woodlands where people are the focus and where informal recreation sits alongside a multitude of organised sporting events, all in a beautiful, natural setting.
‘With all the recent improvements, it may really be a case of “if you go down to the woods today, you are sure of a big surprise”.
‘Volunteer and private sector organisations have joined us in creating many of the attractions that are opening up plantations to new users and we would welcome more organisations wishing to work with us to add to the amenities we can offer the public.’
