New playground opened and sod turned for walking trails at Connemara National Park

THE Minister of State for Nature, Heritage and Biodiversity, Christopher O’Sullivan, has officially opened a new state of the art children’s playground at Connemara National Park in Letterfrack.

At the ceremony, Minister O’Sullivan also turned the sod on a development that will deliver 6.1 km of new trails in the Mweelin area of the national park. It is proposed that 70% of the trails will be accessible, making Connemara National Park a leader in inclusivity and accessibility.

Delivered in partnership with Fáilte Ireland, this marks the second phase of a development project to enhance and expand the walking trail network within the park.

The new children’s playground creates an improved experience for families with children of all ages enjoying fun in nature. Connemara National Park is also a huge attraction for walkers with the iconic Diamond Hill being a must for visitors and a regular exercise path for locals in Connemara and wider west region, including Mayo.

The development of the walking trail network is part of NPWS’s strategic partnership with Fáilte Ireland and represents significant progress in delivering the Connemara Coast and Islands Destination Experience Development Plan which includes a set of sustainable activities to enhance the visitor experience at the park and strengthen shoulder / off-season visitation to the Connemara region.

Turning the sod at Mweelin, where new trails are planned, Minister O’Sullivan said, along with the new playground, the trails developments will bring new and improved experiences for visitors while ensuring that the park's most precious habitats and wildlife are protected.