Wicklow mountains park plan unveiled

A five-year plan has been launched for the management and development of the 17,000-hectare Wicklow Mountains National Park.

It is hoped the plan will become a blueprint for the conservation of natural heritage, while encouraging sustainable facilities for visitors and those who live and work within the park's confines.

It is the first of such plans for the Republic's six national parks.

One of the priorities of the plan is to identify the boundaries and access routes into the park. Additional land currently belonging to Coillte, which might at some point be included in the park, will be identified.

Specifically the objectives for 2005 include:

the mapping, checking and auditing of access points and boundaries;

an access audit of the park for visitors with limited mobility, and the promotion of a universally accessible nature trail;

the preparation of a vegetation map of the park;

a review of the education programme for the park;

the completion of the sensory garden at the Glendalough Information Office;

construction of a new coronation bridge at Bolger's Cottage, underpinning the plan's commitment to the provision of greater access;

the unveiling of a "wild camping code" for the park in conjunction with the Irish Mountaineering Council and some other user groups;

the preparation of a hydrology report for Shranamuck, otherwise known as the cut-over area of the Liffey Head Bog, with a view to restoring the habitat to its pre-cutting state;

the completion of stone pitching of the White Route at Glendalough.

The plan is to be implemented by a staff of 18 based at the park in conjunction with the wider Parks and Wildlife Service, as well as the Wicklow National Park council which represents farmers and recreational users.

The budget plan for the management of the park has been increased by 65 per cent to €1.75 million in 2005.