Go Ape draws youths to countryside (From Chorley Citizen)

Go Ape draws youths to countryside

9:40am Tuesday 16th December 2008 in

• Skip social links
• Print
• Email
• Comments(0)

I would just like to give my views on the building of Go Ape at Rivington.

Firstly, I have visited this area since I was a child. Climbing the Pike at Easter; competing in x-country races; cycling the moors and bridlepaths of the area, and hopefully, when I am too old to do these things, I will walk the beautiful lanes and paths near Rivington Barn.

I visit the area near the proposed Go Ape site at least three times a month and what always saddens me, is the fact that very few teenagers seem to be out and about enjoying the countryside. My fourteen-year-old son and his friends would rather sit in front of a computer than enjoy the countryside that is on their doorstep.

However, when he heard of the 'Go Ape' venture, he seemed to have a totally different take on visiting Rivington. Once this venture is completed, a day out there will open his eyes to all the other possibilities Rivington offers and perhaps it will do the same for lots of other youngsters in the area.

Personally, I think the place is big enough to accommodate everyone with different interests as diverse as dog-walking to paragliding.

I know that many people are worried about parking and probably about the prospect of having to pay for parking. I feel confident that the council will deal with this issue sensitively and sensibly. Where ever you go in a National Park, you would expect to pay for parking and I don't really see why Rivington should be any different.

Finally, I think people need to accept that things can't be the same for ever and I think this change will be a really beneficial to the people of Horwich, Bolton, Chorley and Leigh.

Name and address supplied