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Online Survey Launched for Waterford’s Outdoor Recreation Plan

Published: February 4, 2025

Online Survey Launched for Waterford’s Outdoor Recreation Plan

Waterford’s first-ever Outdoor Recreation Plan is currently in development, and we want to hear from you!

An online survey has now been launched, following a series of engaging public meetings,  to ensure that as many people as possible can contribute their ideas and priorities for the future of outdoor recreation in Waterford.

The plan is being developed in collaboration with Waterford City and County Council, Waterford Sports Partnership, Waterford Leader Partnership, Fáilte Ireland, Coillte, the National Parks and Wildlife Service, and Get Ireland Walking, with facilitation by Outscape.  It aims to promote the enjoyment of outdoor activities across the county while ensuring they remain sustainable, accessible, and inclusive for all.

We encourage everyone with an interest in outdoor recreation – whether you enjoy walking, hiking, cycling, mountain biking, fishing, horse riding, rock climbing, running, orienteering, or a variety of water-based activities such as swimming, surfing, kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding (SUP), canoeing, and sailing—to take part in this survey.  Even air-based activities like paragliding and hang gliding are included in the scope of the plan.

By completing this short survey, you can help shape a plan that reflects the natural beauty of Waterford and meets the needs of our diverse outdoor community. This is a fantastic opportunity for the community to come together and co-create a plan that promotes health, well-being, sustainability, and enjoyment for everyone in a vibrant and inclusive outdoor environment for the next five years.

Have your say today! Access the survey here
The closing date is Wednesday 12th February.

The development of this plan is made possible through funding from the Department of Rural and Community Development.

For more information, please contact David Abbott, Outdoor Recreation Officer with Waterford Sports Partnership, at 086 1650970 or dabbott@waterfordsportspartnership.ie.

Have your Say! Waterford Outdoor Recreation Plan

Published: January 15, 2025


Have your Say! County Outdoor Recreation Plan being developed for Waterford for the first time

A five-year plan for outdoor recreation in Waterford is being developed for the first time in collaboration with a number of leading stakeholders.

These include Waterford City and County Council, Waterford Sports Partnership, Waterford Leader Partnership, Fáilte Ireland, Coillte, National Parks and Wildlife Service, and Get Ireland Walking who have joined together to steer the development of the plan, which is being facilitated by Outscape.

It is important for everyone with an interest in the outdoors to get involved as your input will play a vital role in shaping a plan that reflects the county’s natural beauty and the aspirations of our community.

The aim of the plan is to promote the enjoyment of outdoor activities in our natural landscapes, while also ensuring that these activities are sustainable and accessible to a broad section of the population.

The meetings are taking place on the following dates:

  • Wednesday 29th January: 7:30 – 9pm, SETU Arena, Carriganore, X91 XD96

  • Thursday 30th January: 7:30  – 9pm, The Park Hotel, Dungarvan, X35 CC97

Anyone interested in attending can register here at this Google Forms Link  

It is hoped the plan will reflect the diversity of outdoor pursuits outlined in Embracing Ireland’s Outdoors, the national outdoor recreation strategy, and includes activities such as walking, hiking, cycling, mountain biking, fishing, horse riding, rock climbing, running, orienteering along with many water activities including open water swimming, surfing, kayaking, SUP, canoeing, sailing to name a few.  Air based activities such as paragliding or hang gliding are also included.

The development of this plan is made possible through funding from the Department of Rural and Community Development.

For further information, please contact David Abbott, Outdoor Recreation Officer with Waterford Sports Partnership on 086 1650970 or dabbott@waterfordsportspartnership.ie.

Outdoor Recreation

Published: October 16, 2024

Man in wetsuit surfing a wave

Introduction

Waterford is embarking on journey which will shape the future of Outdoor Recreation in the city and county for years to come.

This follows the publication of Embracing Ireland’s Outdoors, the National Outdoor Recreation Strategy, which outlines Ireland’s vision for a more coordinated and sustainable approach to developing, managing, and enjoying Ireland’s outdoor spaces.

A key component of this strategy is for each county to develop their own outdoor recreation plans, and we already have a team in place who are working on this project.

It’s a collaborative effort Waterford Sports Partnership, Waterford City and County Council, Waterford Leader Partnership, Failte Ireland, Coillte, National Parks and Wildlife Service and Get Ireland Walking all represented on the project team.

Waterford is also one of six pilot counties to have an Outdoor Recreation Officer to help coordinate and facilitate outdoor recreational leadership while ensuring the plan is implemented over the coming years.

If you’re passionate about outdoor recreation and have ideas on what should be prioritised in the Waterford plan, contact our Outdoor Recreation Officer, David Abbott who can be reached at david@waterfordsportspartnership.ie or 086 165 0970.

What is Outdoor Recreation?
Outdoor recreation covers a wide range of activities that take place in the natural environment. It does not include activities that take place outdoors on confined courses or pitches (such as golf, football, show jumping) or motorised activities (such as quads/scramblers) with the exception of motorised mobility aids.

Activities are grouped into land-based, water-based, or air-based categories:

Land-based activities include walking, hiking, cycling, mountain biking, horse riding, running, orienteering, bouldering, rock climbing, mountaineering, caving, and nature play.
Water-based activities cover canoeing/kayaking, rowing, open water swimming, surfing, coasteering, windsurfing/kitesurfing, sailing, diving, angling, and stand-up paddleboarding.
Air-based activities include paragliding and hang-gliding.

We are focused on promoting outdoor activities that help people connect with and enjoy our beautiful natural landscapes.  We want these activities to be sustainable and easy for everyone to access – whether you’re a local from County Waterford, or visiting from afar.  Our goal is to see more people of all abilities getting involved in outdoor activities, leading to better health and well-being across the community.

Key Tasks: At this point, we have three main objectives:

  1. Begin a consultation process to create a County Outdoor Recreation Plan for Waterford.
  2. Set up a County Outdoor Recreation Committee to guide and oversee the plan’s implementation.
  3. Create a forum for relevant groups and recreational users and it is anticipated that it will meet twice a year, giving everyone an opportunity to stay updated on the plan’s progress, and offer input to help it move forward.

The goal is to have the plan ready by April 2025, with the new County Outdoor Recreation Committee leading its implementation in the coming years.

Waterford Sports Partnership

Waterford Sports Partnership (WSP) was established in 2002 by Sport Ireland (formerly the Irish Sports Council) as part of the Local Sports Partnership initiative with the aim of increasing participation in sport and physical activity in County Waterford.

Sport Ireland

Useful Links

Sport Ireland
Sport Ireland plans, leads and co-ordinates the sustainable development of competitive and recreational sport in Ireland.

LSP Contact Finder
Find contact details for other Local Sports Partnerships.

NGB Contact Finder
Find contact details for National Governing Bodies of Sport.

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Company Info

Waterford Sports Partnership Company Limited by Guarantee (CLG)
CRO Number: 378713

Registered Office –
Civic Offices
Dungarvan
Co. Waterford
Ireland

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Contact Details

County Office:
Civic Offices
Dungarvan
Co. Waterford
Tel: 058 21194

City Office:
Regional Sports Centre
Cork Road
Waterford

Email: info@waterfordsportspartnership.ie
Website By: Déise Design

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