Draft:Dungiven Castle Environmental Park

Dungiven Castle Environmental Park is a public park located in Dungiven, County Londonderry, Northern Ireland. The park is one of the largest in Northern Ireland and extends to 22 acre. Admission is free and it has been designed to be accessible to all.

History
The park is home to Dungiven Castle, which is the historic seat of the Anglo-Irish Ogilby family dating back to the 19th century.. . It is located off the main Belfast - Derry road (A6) with access via the Bleach Green Lane or from Dungiven Castle. The park was developed by Glenshane Community Development Limited with assistance from the Woodland Trust, Conservation Volunteers and the Enkalon Trust. Workers were recruited through the Action for Community Employment to develop the site into landscaped grounds which are open to the public all year round. Visitors can enjoy a range of activities including a Victorian Garden, two urban walks, a duck pond and woodlands.

Limavady Myths & Legends Sculpture Trail
Within the grounds of Dungiven Castle Park, a musical harp sculpture is located. The sculptors, Eleanor Wheeler and Alan Cargo created this piece of public art. It marks Dungiven's connection to Ruaidrí Dáll Ó Catháin and his composition, ‘The Derry Air’ and forms part of the Limavady Myths & Legends Sculpture Trail. The body of the harp is inscribed with irregularly placed coin-like studs on each side which is then supported by a pole set at an angle. The top part of the neck is decorated with feathers in a Celtic swirl design. It is made from stainless steel. The sculpture is called "Rory Dall O’Cahan and the Lament of the O’Cahan Harp" and was installed in 2013 after being commissioned by the then Limavady Borough Council and funded by the Northern Ireland Tourist Board.

Biodiversity
The Park's network of paths takes the visitor through a variety of habitats, from woodland to wet meadows and ponds. The biodiversity of the Park has encouraged an abundance of wildlife to be found. The butterfly garden has attracted dragonflies, moths and butterflies such as The speckled wood butterfly. The woodlands and hedgerows have a range of birds for the visitor to identify. The park is also home to endangered red squirrels

Outdoor Activities
The Park is wheelchair accessible and the level paths with frequent placing of summer seats will encourage those with reduced mobility to visit and enjoy the Parks nature.

There are activities for children to enjoy and orienteering routes throughout the Park