Donegal Walking Week planned for the first week in May 2007
On Monday 30 April Minister Éamon Ó Cuív TD will launch the ‘Donegal Walking Week’. Events planned as part of this initiative, which is being organised by partners from Donegal County Development Board, will include an introduction to the walking infrastructure which can be found in each Electoral area, training for walking leaders and a family fun day at Gartan Outdoor Education Centre (OED).
A major event of the week will be a Seminar on Tuesday 1st May at Gartan OED. This Seminar, entitled ‘Paths to Health’, is aimed particularly at local community groups who are interested in developing walks in their own local area. Co Donegal has a massive potential for the development of walks and other recreational trails which will be of value to both local people and visitors. However, it has not always been easy for such groups to develop their ideas, and in particular it can be difficult to find information on such issues as path design, potential funding sources and long-term maintenance and insurance concerns. The ‘Paths to Health’ seminar will address many of these issues and is a significant opportunity for all those involved in trail development within the County to learn more and also to learn from others who have been successful in trail development to date.
Donegal County Council remain the only local authority in Ireland to have employed a person with responsibility for walking and trail development at a County level. This innovate approach has proven extremely positive and its success can be seen in the ongoing development of new trails and an initiative to develop Slí na Sláinte routes throughout the County. The Donegal Walking week will be an opportunity to highlight the work of Donegal County Council and others who are involved in walking and trail development and to continue the work of planning new developments for the future.
Walk Week Final