The link between Ederney and Kesh has been strenghtened with the opening of a new district park and tourism facility following a £1million investment from the Big Lottery Fund NI’s Space & Place Programme.

The new park which was delivered by the North Fermanagh Valley Park Group entailed a unique collaboration between community groups in Kesh and Ederney.

Alongside transforming derelict space in the area, the new facility includes a mountain bike track, walking trails, a community gym, running track and a space for public events across the two villages.

A programme of activities to help embed shared working and to enhance connectivity between the villages is also planned, whilst the new park is set to enhance the tourist offering in the area with greater accessibility to leisure facilities for people living in West Tyrone and Donegal.

Sean Donnelly representing the North Fermanagh Valley Park Group said: “We are delighted to finally be able to bring the project to fruition and can really see the benefit of two communities coming together in a shared space in both villages. Cross community working is now embedded in our community and this project has made this possible by helping lay the foundations for us to build on,” said Sean.

The North Fermanagh Valley Park project involved a partnership between Ederney Community Development Trust, Kesh Development Association and Fermanagh and Omagh District Council.

Vice Chairman of Fermanagh and Omagh District Council, Councillor John Feely, said: “Fermanagh and Omagh District Council was pleased to be a partner on the North Fermanagh Valley Project. The project will deliver so much for those living in the area with the development of new community facilities in both villages and relations between the neighbouring communities.

“The official opening of the North Fermanagh Valley Park is a great example of what can be achieved by working in partnership and I would like to commend all those involved in the project,” said Councillor Feely.

Tributes were also paid at the launch event to contractor Barry McQuaid who sadly passed away during construction of the project earlier this year.

The project also received the backing of Fermanagh & Omagh District Council, and additional support from the Garfield Weston Foundation.