£72,900 for Creggan Country Park to help revamp the 'ressi' and boost diversity as it aims for post-COVID-19 era

The money is being distributed by The National Lottery Heritage Fund on behalf of the Department for Communities as part of the £29million NI Executive allocation for heritage, arts, culture and languages.

Gerry Quinn, Manager at Creggan Country Park said: “We’re grateful to the Department for Communities and The National Lottery Heritage Fund for providing this funding. The past year has highlighted the importance of being outdoors for our mental and physical health. Thanks to this grant, we can carry out essential habitat management and maintenance to make our site safe, welcoming and enjoyable for visitors.”

Paul Mullan, The National Lottery Heritage Fund, said: “Our local places have become more important than ever throughout this pandemic, and through this fund, we hope to encourage people to get to know their local heritage that bit better.

“We’re grateful to the Department for Communities for providing the funding and we’re delighted to fund a diverse range of projects which will make a huge impact on many communities across Northern Ireland.”

Like other charities, Creggan Country Park has been feeling the effects of the pandemic in the form of reduced income and so this funding has come at a crucial time to help an important local heritage asset recover.

Funding will allow the park to prepare for re-opening so that outdoor pursuits and water sports activities can be made available for families and groups and seasonal staff can return to work.

The project will also help to deliver the park’s habitat management plan which includes essential tree works, particularly along the boundary of Glenowen. Trees over hanging the fence will be removed, and grass cutting along with scrub removal will make way for wildflower meadows to support priority species.

Funding from the Heritage Recovery Fund will also resurface paths to better and safer access for walkers, prams and wheelchair users.

To find out more about The National Lottery Heritage Fund, go to: www.heritagefund.org.uk Project updates and events can be found at: www.facebook.com/creggancountrypark.18