An Armagh councillor has called for a meeting with council officers to develop a masterplan for Carnagh Forest.
Speaking at a meeting of Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council’s leisure and community services committee, Councillor Darren McNally said he would like to discuss further development of the site with council officers.
He was speaking following a report that showed visitor numbers at Carnagh Forest increased from 2,782 in Q1 of 2019 to 11,335 in Q1 of 2020, an increase of 8,553 visitors (307 per cent) year-on-year.
The figures also show that the usage of Darkley Forest more than doubled in the same time period.
In Q1 of 2019 Darkley Forest had 3,061 visitors compared with 8,678 in Q1 of 2020. This is an increase of 5,917 visitors (184 per cent) year-on-year.
“This is a good news story,” said Councillor McNally.
“I would use both Carnagh and Darkley regularly. In Carnagh in particular there are three lakes that could be further utilised in terms of fishing.
“With this in mind I would like to, at some point in the future, sit down with council officers and debate the wider master plan for Carnagh Forest.”
