Coronavirus: Car parks at forests and country parks to reopen

Forests and country parks owned by the Department of Agriculture, including Tollymore and Glenariff, are to reopen their car parks on Wednesday of next week.

Parks owned by the department have been closed to the public since late March in a bid to slow the spread of coronavirus.

Agriculture minister Edwin Poots has now said country parks and forests will reopen on a phased basis.

Forest parks including Castlewellan, Ballypatrick, Springwell and Florence Court will reopen their car parks on Wednesday May 27.

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However, cafes, public toilets, play areas and visitors' centres at the parks will remain closed.

Mr Poots said many council-owned parks will also reopen their car parks on Wednesday,

"Our estate has been restricted to the public since late March in an effort to slow down the spread of Covid-19, but I am very aware of how much people have missed our outdoor spaces and doing the things they love like walking, cycling and running – the things that are good for our hearts and good for our minds," he said.

“Therefore, I have asked my department to make the necessary arrangements for DAERA-owned forests and country parks to gradually lift restrictions on a phased basis, starting with the reopening of car parks on Wednesday 27 May.

“Following discussions facilitated by my department, many other organisations including councils, have now indicated that they too, will begin to reopen their car parks at many of their sites on that date."

Mr Poots asked people to "people to be sensible about how far they travel once car parking is available, as other on-site DAERA facilities such as toilets, visitor centres, cafes or playparks will remain closed and their reopening will be considered at a later stage".

He said the move was a first step towards the easing of lockdown.

"While I intend to gradually open up our estate in stages, people must still respect social distancing measures," he said.

“If you are coming to our sites remember the toilets remain closed so plan your visit accordingly. Take pleasure from your surroundings and dispose of rubbish carefully or take it home, and please continue to protect yourselves and socially distance.”