On Tuesday, 12th June 2025, at the Teachers’ Centre in Waterford City, local stakeholders gathered to launch an Action Plan for Get Waterford Walking, part of the broader national Get Ireland Walking initiative. The development of the plan provided an opportunity for stakeholders to collectively identify and implement walking-specific actions across recreation, transport, and health sectors.
Get Ireland Walking aims to act as the catalyst organisation to unify the efforts of organisations in Ireland, including those in Waterford, that play a role in the promotion and development of walking.
Waterford has adopted a systems model of working, where stakeholders from across Waterford City and County gathered to discuss what was working well in walking promotion and development. A series of workshops subsequently supported the stakeholder group to identify gaps within that system and highlighted where collaborative efforts could be made to support more participation in walking, the delivery of programmes, events, and campaigns, in addition to advocacy efforts and information sharing.
The Global Action Plan for Physical Activity (GAPPA Framework) and its quadrants – Create Active Societies, Environments, People, and Systems – were used to enable stakeholders to align the work of Get Waterford Walking with their own organisational objectives and strategic plans.
Waterford City and County has an abundance of inviting spaces to enjoy – the greenway, coastal paths and beaches, forest trails, mountains, rivers, lakes, sports clubs, and public parks. Notably and importantly, the work of the stakeholders provides accessible opportunities for key target groups to be active through programmes and events. Waterford Sports Partnership, Waterford City & County Council, National Governing Bodies, Healthy Waterford, Active Travel, SETU, Green Schools, The Waterford Chamber, HSE, Rural and Outdoor Recreation, Community Groups, Social Prescribing, Community Safety Team, and Age Friendly Ireland are all significant contributors. These are key organisations for delivering walking initiatives through their networks, clients, members, and the population at large.
In addition to Waterford and Cork, stakeholder groups have also been created in Limerick and Laois – all counties using the same approach, asking the same reflective questions about walking in their counties, and developing actions that are collaborative, attainable, and measurable. The network of stakeholders is generally similar in all areas, with some exceptions.
You can view the Get Waterford Walking Action Plan HERE
Article Modified: August 11, 2025 2:04 pm
