A PROPOSAL for a €4 million orientation centre for visitors is to be included as part of a strategy for the Dublin mountains.
The first phase of the Dublin Mountains Strategic Plan for Outdoor Recreation will invest €50,000 to produce proposals for the centre, with a view to developing it in the second or third phase of the programme.
As part of the strategy, a management group for the mountains will be established, the Dublin Mountains Partnership, and a recreation manager will be appointed. A Dublin mountain ranger service will also be set up, using a combination of paid staff and volunteers.
The strategy also includes the development of an east-west trail for walkers, cyclists and horse riders, and the "Dublin Mountains Way", which will link to the Wicklow Way and possibly the Grand Canal.
A new looped trail from Marlay Park around Kilmashogue Mountain is also to be developed and stretches of the Wicklow Way within Dublin are to be upgraded, as are trails across Tibradden Mountain and in Cruagh Wood.
Improved signage and information is to be included at all main access points and an activity map for the area is to be developed. The partnership will develop and publicise a "leave no trace" policy, to encourage responsible use of the mountains. It will also investigate a site for a dedicated off-road vehicle facility.
The strategy was developed by consultants Scott Wilson for Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council, South Dublin County Council and Coillte. It aims to improve the recreational experience for users of the Dublin Mountains and encourage tourists and locals to make more use of the area.
It also hopes to address a variety of problems in the mountains, including anti-social behaviour, vandalism and unauthorised use of walking trails for motorbike scrambling.
Both councils will part-fund the project, contributing €100,000 annually, initially for the next three years. Coillte has secured €450,000 in grants for the partnership for capital projects for this year.
It is estimated that phase one of the plan will cost €480,000, with a further €400,000 running costs.
Local Labour Party councillor Lettie McCarthy has welcomed the proposals.
"This plan should be facilitated and encouraged in every way possible," Ms McCarthy said. "It is a move in the right direction, no matter how long it takes. The mountains are big enough to allow everyone to use them safely."
