€174,000 granted for the enhancement of six outdoor recreation projects in Cork East – David Stanton

Cork East Fine Gael TD, David Stanton, has welcomed confirmation from the Department of Rural and Community Development that total funding of €174,000 is to be allocated between six outdoor recreation projects in the constituency under the latest round of the Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme (ORIS).

The funding has been made available by the Department under Measure 1 of the ORIS. Measure 1 allocations of up to a maximum of €30,000 are designed for the enhancement of outdoor amenities such as local walkways, cycleways, rivers, lakes and beaches.

The six local projects approved under the latest tranche of funding are:

Project – Description – Funding allocation

• Analeentha Greenway, Mallow – upgrade of walk and cycle greenway – €30,000
• Blackwater Way Ballard, Kilworth – reroute of the Blackwater Way through Ballard, Kilworth and trail upgrade – €27,000
• Blackwater Way Knockananig, Fermoy – link the Knockananig Reservoir walk with the Blackwater Way (Avondhu) – €27,000
• Knockananig, Fermoy – upgrade of the Blackwater Avondhu Way walking trail at Knockananig, Fermoy – €30,000
• Garryvoe Beach, Ballycotton – measures to increase biodiversity and the provision of seating – €30,000
• Slatty Pond, Carrigtwohill – direct pedestrian link from Carrigtwohill town centre to Slatty Pond – €30,000

Speaking after the Department’s announcement, Deputy Stanton said “It is great to see that so many local recreational projects have been approved for funding under the Department’s latest allocation. Cork East project applications have historically done well under the ORIS and together with the work of Cork County Council and the Avondhu Blackwater Partnership have ensured the progression of facilities that have quickly become valued community recreational amenities.

“Continued investment in such amenities is vitality important in promoting local exercise and wellbeing in addition to expanding tourism potential in local communities. The latest grant approvals will enable the considerable enhancement of recreational projects along the Blackwater Way, in Mallow and Carrigtwohill and at Garryvoe Beach and further allocations for local projects under measures 2 and 3 of the ORIS are expected in the coming weeks”, concluded David Stanton.