A peaceful and safer alternative to using the roads in the busy Waterside area of Derry has been given the green light across the community.

Residents of Fallowlea Park and the Caw area now have a beautiful woodland walkway to get from the Crescent Link to Kilfennan Country Park thanks to a Department for Communities funded project delivered by the Housing Executive totalling almost £28k.

The DfC sourced funding from the Department of Levelling Up, Housing & Communities via the Levelling Up Parks Funding 2022 for this project.

The overarching aims of this funding are to, create or significantly improve parks, green spaces or community gardens/spaces in deprived areas; and use the DEFRA contribution towards the planting of trees.

Off the beaten track. . . Enjoying a new woodland walkway in the Waterside area of Derry/Londonderry which was funded by Department for Communities and delivered by the Housing Executive are, left to right, Liam Lynch, Housing Executive Grounds Supervisor, North Region, Sharon Mc Cullagh, Deputy Director, Community Empowerment Division, Department for Communities, Eddie Doherty, Housing Executive West Area Manager and Linda Watson, Manager of Caw Nelson Drive Action Group. The new walkway which cost £28k links the Crescent Link to Kilfennan Country Park.

placeholder image — Off the beaten track. . . Enjoying a new woodland walkway in the Waterside area of Derry/Londonderry which was funded by Department for Communities and delivered by the Housing Executive are, left to right, Liam Lynch, Housing Executive Grounds Supervisor, North Region, Sharon Mc Cullagh, Deputy Director, Community Empowerment Division, Department for Communities, Eddie Doherty, Housing Executive West Area Manager and Linda Watson, Manager of Caw Nelson Drive Action Group. The new walkway which cost £28k links the Crescent Link to Kilfennan Country Park.

Eddie Doherty, Housing Executive West Area Manager said: “We are delighted that Fallowlea Park is benefitting from such a practical and environmentally friendly addition to the area.

“Incorporating tree, bulb and whip planting along the path on this traffic-free walkway across land owned and maintained by the Housing Executive is sure to be a hit with all the family.

“Not only does it improve the aesthetics of the area, but I am confident it will also boost the well-being of the people living there by providing crucial access to quality green space, generating cleaner air and instilling pride of place among residents.”

Sharon McCullagh, Deputy Director, Community Empowerment Division, Department for Communities added: “It is fantastic to see the improved walkway, planting and green space that is welcomed by the community.

“This project demonstrates the benefit of collaborative, partnership working which has resulted in improving the environment for residents of Caw and wider, enabling access to quality green space to increase health and well-being.

“I thank the Housing Executive for delivering, on behalf of the Department, such a great project for the local community.”

Linda Watson, Manager of Caw Nelson Drive Action Group said: “It is lovely to see this beautiful walkway through the estate which offers a shared natural space for the whole community to enjoy. It also encourages exercise which will help to improve physical health and wellbeing, improve air quality and boost local wildlife.

“Thank you to the DFC and the Housing Executive for funding this initiative.”

For more information, go to nihe.gov.uk.