Lagan Valley Regional Park and AONB Recreation on

Lagan Valley Regional Park and AONB Recreation on your doorstep User Survey 2012

Lagan Valley Regional Park and AONB Origins Lagán = plain in Irish Abhainn á Lagáin ‘the Lagan water Lagan Valley was designated an AONB under the Amenity Lands Act (NI) 1965 The Regional Park was established in 1967 Last ice age 50 k – 15 k ago

Origins Lagan Valley was designated an AONB under the Amenity Lands Act (NI) 1965 AONB’s are designated to protect and enhance the natural beauty of their landscape The Regional Park was subsequently established in 1967 with two key objectives: 1. 2. Conserving landscape quality and features of Lagan Valley Promoting its quiet enjoyment by the public Today COMPANIES (NORTHERN IRELAND) ORDER 1986 Company Limited by Guarantee and not having a Share Capital MEMORANDUM OF ASSOCIATION Of LAGAN VALLEY REGIONAL PARK LIMITED 6 Pages 2007

Lagan Valley Regional Park • Covers 4, 200 acres (2100 hectares) and extends 11 miles (17 km) and currently lies within the Council areas of Belfast, Castlereagh and Lisburn • Some 42 km of paths and trails including towpath • Lies at the heart of two of Northern Ireland’s largest population centres • Originally one of only three designated Regional Parks

Lagan Valley Regional Park and AONB Local Nature Reserve The place 23 SLNCI’s 2 Mottes Rath Lagan navigation Rich Biodiversity Green flag award demesne State Care Protected Monument

Lagan Valley Regional Park and AONB Usage Data Northern Ireland Visitor Attraction Survey

Lagan Valley Regional Park and AONB Our Vision A Park that offers a thriving, diverse and valued riverside heritage that inspires exploration, learning and enjoyment whilst ensuring a vibrant environment for all.

Lagan Valley Regional Park and AONB Mission Statement We will protect and conserve the unique landscape character of Lagan Valley Regional Park and the Lagan Valley AONB, enhance its biodiversity, cultural heritage and promote its benefit to visitors and the community.

Lagan Valley Regional Park and AONB Our Vision Focus Areas Biodiversity - A Park that safeguards and delivers a high quality biodiversity resource for the region. Visitors - A Park that is a regionally high quality visitor experience and a valued resource. Community - A Park with people at its heart. Landscape - A Park landscape that embraces the cultural and social heritage of the area. Heritage - A Park rich in heritage that can unfold the story of Irelands first settlers through to the present. Health and Recreation - A Park that helps people improve their wellbeing with high quality opportunities for health promoting activities.

Lagan Valley Regional Park and AONB Visitor Attractions 1 The Towpath 2 Outstanding Natural Beauty and Landscapes 3 Biodiversity and the Natural Environment 4 Heritage – from the first settlers to the industrial revolution 5 Recreation

The towpath The Towpath Walk. NI – High Quality Medium distance National Cycle Network Quality section of Ulster Way Northern Irelands Premier Visitor Destination

Outstanding Natural Beauty and Landscapes

Biodiversity and the Natural Environment

Heritage – from the first settlers to the industrial revolution Lock Keepers Cottage Giant’s Ring Neolithic Passage Tomb Some 4700 years old Carbon dating suggests a further 1000 yrs Was much more extensive than existing structure Much of structure that remains has collapsed

Recreation Over 42 km of Paths and trails Recreation

Recreation

Health and Recreation Activities Walking Running Jogging Cycling (commuting, family, off road) Roller blading Canoeing and Kayaking Adventure racing Fishing (course and game) Photography Wildlife watching Slack lining Geocaching Orienteering Events 10 k Races Adventure Races Angling competitions Sponsored walks Source to sea kayak event Red bull card derby Gig in the garden Orienteering series

Events Programme

Events Programme

Other events Towpath Initiative River Clean up Develop awareness weeks to include: Litter Dog fouling More clean up events

Recreation 4. Conservation Management a) Conserving habitats and species b) Developing Biodiversity c) Invasive Species Control d) Habitat Creation and Aesthetic Enhancement

Lagan Valley Regional Park and AONB Audio Trail

Lagan Valley Regional Park and AONB Counter Data Survey Questionnaire

Lagan Valley Regional Park and AONB Usage Data Towpath Counters – year on year 1200000 1000000 800000 600000 400000 54% 200000 0 62% 46% 100%

Lagan Valley Regional Park and AONB Towpath Counters Usage Data 450000 400000 350000 300000 250000 200000 150000 100000 50000 0 Jan-Mar Apr-Jun Jul-Sep Oct-Dec

Lagan Valley Regional Park and AONB Usage Data All Counters 450000 400000 350000 300000 250000 200000 150000 100000 50000 0 Lambeg Cocacola Drumbeg - Redbridge - Mary Peters Moores Br Lady Dixon Lock. Keepers Shaws Br Stramillis Visitor Ctr - Giants ring Site access

Lagan Valley Regional Park and AONB The Questionnaire

Lagan Valley Regional Park and AONB The Questionnaire Aug, Sept, Oct 2012 Ranger Service Volunteer rangers Sample size 83

Lagan Meadows Newforge● Clement Wilson Mary Peter’s Track ● ● Shaw’s Bridge Minnowburn Derriaghy Glen Aberdelghy Golf Course Glenmore ● Castle Gardens ● ● Old Warren Nature Walk ● Union Lock ● ● Lagan Valley Island Union Bridge ● Hogg’s Weir ● Moore’s Bridge Sir Thomas & Lady Dixon Park Ballyskeagh Riverside Park ● Giant’s Ring Bevoir Park Forest

Lagan Valley Regional Park and AONB Section 1 When and why you use Lagan Valley Regional Park This allows us to understand when people are most likely to visit the park and why

Ba 45 t Q 2 & Q 3 Entry and Exit points or ill r H ou be g of Sp e us Ho ym m La LK C Q 1 Are you aware of the park boundaries Se s rg e fo w er ne es et y P Ne ar M s rry de em D ts et rn en ge illi nm ra rid nd k ar sla s B Ed St aw Sh y I y P ge id br ro lle n Va ga La c. Il M rn st re ng bu w um Dr Fo no in M rk R i ts an Gi Percent of total responses Pa ir lvo Section 1 Be Lagan Valley Regional Park and AONB Yes 17% No 83% 40 35 30 25 20 15 10 5 0

Lagan Valley Regional Park and AONB Section 1 Monthly Q 4 How often do you visit Lagan Valley Regional park 9% Year 3%Seldom 2% Weekly 28% 70 Daily 58% 60 50 40 Spring Summer 30 Autumn Winter 20 10 0 Daily Weekly Monthly Year Seldom

t C or Sh ut ts or Sp e ics et hl At ur nt Ad ve g gg in g tin in g/ Jo in nn Ru Pa g in ut o ily ge ita er g in ut er H y/ ph ra og /F am nd s ot Ph ie Fr ilt Bu m l H ra tu Na m ng rin g An gli ee ng cli Cy nt rie Co g/ O kin Hi g kin g al g W Do al kin Section 1 W in g lb e el r sh ai fre W & al th & n io at la x He Re Lagan Valley Regional Park and AONB Q 5 Main reasons for visiting 1000 900 800 700 600 500 400 300 200 100 0

Lagan Valley Regional Park and AONB Section 1 Q 6 Member of Club/Society/Organisation ? Q 7 How did you first become aware of the Park ? Website Other 5%5% Friend 12% Moved here 11% Always known 67% Edenderry Residents Association Spartan Red Socks Walking Group RSPB National Trust Belfast Activity Centre Pheonix Cylcing Club Belfast Harlequins Rugby

Lagan Valley Regional Park and AONB Section 2 A little bit about you This section helps us to build a profile about who our park users are

Lagan Valley Regional Park and AONB Section 2 Q 8 Gender profile female 41% Q 10 Employment status male 59% User Types from count (2819) Runner 10% Student 4% Other 3% Cylcist 24% Retired 35% Employed 52% Unemployed 7% Homemaker 2% Pedestrian 62%

Lagan Valley Regional Park and AONB Q 9 Age profile Section 2 20 18 16 14 12 10 8 6 4 2 0 16 -25 26 -35 36 -45 46 -55 56 -65 65+

Lagan Valley Regional Park and AONB Section 2 5. 00 4. 00 3. 00 Q 13 Overall satisfaction with Lagan Valley Regional Park ? Very Satisfied Neither Dissatisfied 2. 00 Very Dissatisfied 1. 00 Path surface Entrances & Car parking LKC Visitor Ctr Rest points exits Facilities Signage & Info Leaflets & Literature Website Toilets Other Park users

Lagan Valley Regional Park and AONB Yes 12% Q 14 Access comments? Section 2 Access is good Giants ring car park and access road Styles broke in Lagan Meadows Path falling into river at Moorlands Meadow No 88% Q 16 Feel safe? No 18% Yes 82% Quiet areas After dark generally Seymour Hill in evenings Shaws Bridge in evenings Q 15

Lagan Valley Regional Park and AONB Section 3 Attitudes and Perceptions This section aims to understand your awareness of the Laganscape scheme and Lagan Valley Regional Park

Lagan Valley Regional Park and AONB Section 3 Q 20 Importance of engaging with the natural environment? 100 90 80 70 60 50 40 Q 21 Importance of engaging with built heritage? 30 20 100 Very Important 90 80 70 60 50 40 30 20 10 0 Very Important Quite Important Fairly Important Slightly Important Not important Quite Important Fairly Important Slightly Not important Important

Lagan Valley Regional Park and AONB Q 22 Who do you believe is most responsible for maintaining landscape and features ? Section 3 2. 5 2 1 2 3 1. 5 1 0. 5 0 LVRP Landowner You Other

Lagan Valley Regional Park and AONB Section 3 No 10% Q 23 Have you seen any enhancements ? Yes 90% Volunteer work Mary Peters track Hedges cut Verges & towpath maintained Safety improvements Pond and improvements at Minnowburn Giants Ring paths Lock Keepers Cottage Cafe Towpath improvements & cleanliness 0 5 10 15 20 25 30

Lagan Valley Regional Park and AONB Section 3 No 30% Q 24 Suggested improvements ? Yes 70% Antisocial behaviour Dog owners clear up Bike walker problems More seats Canal restoration More accessible paths Better signage Lagan Meadows paths and hedges Toilet facilities Improved parking More bins 0 5 10 15 20

Lagan Valley Regional Park and AONB Section 3 Q 25 Access to parks and green spaces important? 100 90 80 70 60 50 40 30 20 10 0 Q 26 LVRP little or no benefit for local people? Strongly Agree Undecided Disagree Strongly Disagree 100 90 80 70 60 50 40 30 20 10 0 Strongly Disagree

Lagan Valley Regional Park and AONB Section 3 Q 27 Discovering the outdoors a valuable education for children? Q 28 Little or no value in managing the landscape and environment of the Lagan Valley area? 100 90 80 70 60 50 40 30 20 10 0 Strongly Agree Undecided Disagree Strongly Disagree 100 90 80 70 60 50 40 30 20 10 0

Lagan Valley Regional Park and AONB 100 Section 3 90 80 70 60 Q 29 Every Park user has a responsibility to take care of the Park? 50 40 30 20 10 0 Strongly Agree Undecided Disagree Strongly Disagree 100 90 80 70 60 Q 30 Exercising outdoors supports mental and physical well being? 50 40 30 20 10 0 Strongly Agree Undecided

Lagan Valley Regional Park and AONB Information Our website: Visitor Centre and Office: Lagan Valley Regional Park 3 Lock Keepers Lane 02890 491922 Publications: £ 6 £ 4 www. laganvalley. co. uk www. laganvalleylearning. co. uk

Lagan Valley Regional Park and AONB Thank you