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:
- Begin a consultation process to create a County Outdoor Recreation Plan for Waterford.
- Set up a County Outdoor Recreation Committee to guide and oversee the plan’s implementation.
- 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.
Article Modified: November 22, 2024 11:15 am