Plans for major upgrades at local forest park

It's the latest major project planned for a local forest.

A design team is to be appointed for upgrades at Dartrey Forest outside Cootehill.

Monaghan County Council has issued tenders for the works following the recent announcement of funding to improve facilities and amenities.

€200,000 was announced at the end of last year, with plans for a boardwalk to link to Erica’s Fairy Forest on the edge of Cootehill town.

The Council says it has had “initial design proposals” drawn up and has secured the funding under the Outdoor Recreational Infrastructure Fund of the Department of Rural and Community Development.

It says it “now wishes to progress this project which will add to the recreational infrastructure in the forest”.

It's the latest plan for a local forest, with Cavan County Council drawing up a a aasterplan for Dún an Rí Forest Park in Kingscourt being drawn up by Cavan County Council.

Hundreds of submissions from members of the public were made following a consultation day held in the park in October. Tourism Officer with Cavan County Council Joanne Hayes explained more to the Celt at the time:

Monaghan County Council says it hopes to make the most of what Dartrey has to offer.

“The design team will be tasked with progressing these developments, the design of which must take into consideration the park's natural unspoiled green beauty and should include paths improvement, enhancements to the forest entrance, provision of a short boardwalk, enhanced picnic areas clearance to improve lake views, & signage etc."

A design team with previous experience in forest park design, landscape architecture, quantity surveying and civil and structural engineering are requested to apply under the ongoing tender scheme.

The plans follow extensive upgrades already carried out ar Rossmore Forest Park outside Monaghan town.