First draft of Kingscourt forest plan expected soon

Work is progressing on the masterplan for the Dún an Rí forest park outside Kingscourt.

The first phase of the public consultation has been completed. Consultants, The Paul Hogarth Company, held a consultation day in the forest in October to gather the thoughts of park users on what they would like to see.

Over 300 submissions were made as part of the consultation, with upgrades of the toilet facilities, poor signage on trails throughout the park and the need for longer wheelchair and buggy accessible tracks were among some of the issues raised. The €5 fee to enter the park was also among the issues highlighted with Dún an Rí among one of the only Coillte sites that still has an entrance charge.

This work is now complete and a first draft of the report is expected to be furnished to Cavan County Council shortly.

“We’re waiting now to see a first draft of the report,” says tourism officer Joanne Hayes.

“They’ll be engaging in a second round, a more in depth consultation process with local people as well. It’s moving nicely so we should have something to publish in the next couple of months.”

The plan will form the basis of future development within the park, including an improvement in services and the provision of recreation and other facilities.

Funding of €451,292 was announced last November for the enhancement of the off road access from Kingscourt town to the forest park. A natural woodland play area in the park will also be developed.

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