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Sports stars help launch national park recreation strategy

6 May 2010

The sports stars joined Narendra Bajaria, chair of the Peak District National Park Authority, and Geoff Nickolds, lead member for recreation, for the launch.

The Active in the Outdoors strategy:

• Identifies the current and future outdoor recreation needs of residents and visitors

• Identifies what facilities need to be created to encourage more people to try outdoor activities

• Outlines ways of making residents and visitors aware of the activities on offer and the health benefits that taking part can bring

• Aims to develop better public transport links to reduce the number of people travelling by car to take part in outdoor recreation activities

The Peak District National Park Authority will be working with partners including water companies, district, city and county councils, the Peak District Local Access Forum and charities including the Ramblers and British Mountaineering Council to deliver the strategy.

Speaking at the launch, mountaineer Andy Cave said: “In the Peak District we have everything for outdoor sports. The rock climbing is truly world class. Walking and running opportunities are second to none. We have horse riding, fishing, water sports, caving and many more activities.”

The Active in the Outdoors strategy launch took place as part of the Super Saturday event in Buxton to promote a range of outdoor activities, including the Peak District Walking Festival.

Olympic Mogul skier Ellie Koyander, who lives in Tideswell, told the audience how the national park had inspired her to take up outdoor sports as a child.

The strategy is also supported by Julia Bradbury, presenter of the BBC’s Countryfile programme and president of the Friends of the Peak District.

The Active in the Outdoors recreation strategy can be seen by visiting www.peakdistrict.gov.uk/recreation (opens in a new window)