Community Slí na Sláinte
Walking Route Set up Guide
Irish Heart Foundation, 50 Ringsend Road, Dublin 4
www.irishheart.ie/sli or [email protected] 01-668 5001
An Introduction to Slí na Sláinte
Slí na Sláinte is an innovative scheme developed by the Irish Heart Foundation and supported by the
HSE to encourage people of all ages and abilities to walk for leisure and good health.
The
programme uses attractive signage at kilometre intervals to encourage people to walk more
frequently and to enjoy the benefits of a healthier lifestyle. To date there are over 220 routes
around the country. The Slí Network is both nation-wide and international with Heart Foundations
in ten countries having implemented the scheme to date.
Slí na Sláinte is implemented in your locality by the Local Authority in partnership with the
community and (optional) other appropriate commercial organisations, and becomes part of the
approved list of Slí routes. The route must remain at all times the responsibility of the Local
Authority.
Why Slí na Sláinte?
Slí na Sláinte is an important and valuable facility for every community. The widespread appeal of Slí
na Sláinte is due to the fact that it provides an easily accessible and inexpensive environment for
regular exercise. Health messages are often negative and frightening which is why Slí na Sláinte was
developed as a positive and fun incentive to improve people’s health.
International research has confirmed that the development of community walking trails can boost
exercise and improve health at a low cost.
Benefits of walking
A lack of physical activity is a contributing factor of heart disease as is smoking, high cholesterol and
high blood pressure. An increase in physical activity can reduce a person’s risk of heart attack and
other obesity related diseases. A brisk 30 minute walk, 5 days a week can make a big difference to
ones health. Walking is a popular past time as it’s free and suitable for all ages and fitness levels.
A regular programme of walking...
·
keeps your heart strong
·
improves muscle strength
·
helps to manage your weight
·
makes you feel good
·
above all...is enjoyable and fun
How to develop a community Slí na Sláinte route
1. Form a Slí na Sláinte development committee
A committee is essential for the smooth development of the Slí na Sláinte route. It is recommended
that you form a Slí Development Team made up of at least one representative of the Local Authority
and two members of the community. You might also consider involving organisations such as:
 Local Sports Partnerships
 Vocational Education Committee (to organise the Slí Leaders Course)
 Office of Public Works, or Coillte Teoranta (should the proposed route traverse their properties)
 local or regional Tourism Organisations
 the HSE
 Tidy Towns Committee
2. Make contact with the Irish Heart foundation.
If you decide that a Slí na Sláinte route would be a good fit for your community or would just like
some more information please contact the Irish Heart Foundation on 01 6685001 or email
[email protected]. You will be asked to submit an application form, a map of your proposed
route and schedule a date for a consultation.
3. Funding the Slí na Sláinte
Written agreement from the Local Authority or other sponsor must be obtained stating that they are
willing to fund the proposed route; including signs, promotional leaflet , installation and most
importantly repair and maintenance. In cases where the Local Authority is not the route sponsor,
the Local Authority must still give their approval regarding location and safety for insurance
purposes.
4. Promotional brochure
A promotional Leaflet similar to the one attached is planned with route description and map
showing key features, landmarks, and road names. This information should be forwarded to the Slí
Office. Plesae note that a high resolution digital pdf version of the brochure can be supplied to you
so you can carry out your own printing.
5. Sli Walking Leaders
Slí Walking Leader Training is available to members of the community who are willing to promote
the Sli route in their area and organise walks on a regular basis. Community members who have a
keen interest in walking should be contacted and identified as suitable candidates for training. It is
also recommended that the community members of the Slí Development Team attend the training.
6. Safety and accessibilty
The route must be maintained to the highest standards of safety and be accessible to the general
public at all times. The local authorities engineer must see the route and should be fully approved
before you start development.
7. Insurance
The Local Authority have Public liability insurance cover to provide indemniity as a result of
accidental bodily injury arising as a result of their liabilities in connection with the Slí na Sláinte
route.
8. Maintenance
The Local Authority are responsible for repair, maintenance and upkeep of the route and signage.
The Slí route should be audited to ensure all signage are intact and clearly visible every year. The Slí
Development Team will be contacted by the National Coordinator every year with a maintenance
audit form to be filled in. Should the audit identify signage as missing or damaged it is the
responsibity of the Local Authority to ensure the signage is replaced or repaired. The National
Coordinator can assist with the ordering of replacement signage but it is the sole responsibility of
the Local Authority to organise payment and installation of signage.
9. Promotional Plan
The Slí Development Team and trained Slí Walking Leaders should have an agreed plan of action to
ensure regular usage of the route – i.e. launch, leaflet distribution, regular planned walks for the
community etc. Once your Slí signage is installed and you have chosen and agreed a suitable date,
the National Coordinator will help you decide the most suitable launch for your Slí na Sláinte. Press
releases, draft invitations and promotional material will also be provided by the Irish Heart
Foundation. The Irish Heart Foundation will be on hand at all times to assist with promotional
efforts.
What makes a great Slí na Sláinte route?
Simplicity – One of the key reasons for the success of a route, ideally the routes should have as little
left/right turns a possible.
Length - Ideally 2km-10km.
Shape of Route - Routes should be circular or linear – no figures of eights!
Go with what you know! – Ideally a route should be developed where people walk, look for a route
in your area which is already popular with local walkers.
Lighting - Not essential to route development, as we can write on the brochures that the ‘route is
suitable as daytime route only’
Safety – Your proposed route should above all be pedestrian safe. Please discuss your proposed Slí
route with your town or area engineer to ensure he/she has no safety concerns.
Note: All routes must be on Local Authority land or Coillte property, you will need agreement from
your local authority or Coillte that Public Liability insurance is in place for the routes
Slí routes will not be permitted on private land without a legal written consent from landowners and
a maintenance agreement. It is strongly recommended that Slí routes be developed on local authority
or Coillte property to avoid any conflict of interest at a later stage.
Cost of developing a Slí na Sláinte route
Urban Route
Artwork and Design of map board and brochure:
€500.00
Irish Heart Foundation Consultation Fee:
€150.00
Signage costs will depend on the length and nature of route i.e. how many Km points and directional
arrow signs required.
Example of urban signage costs
450mm x 450mm map
€92.13
Start/End sign + 3.4 meter pole
€200.00
Kilometre Sign + 3.4 meter pole
€200.00
Left/right signs for junction
€28.00 each
Straight signs for junction
€28.00 each
3.0 metre pole for directional signs
€50.00
Urban Km Sign: Located at the start
of each route and for every Km
thereafter. Same style of sign used for
the Start/End sign. Mapboard is then
placed below the Start/End sign.
Urban Directional Signs: Located at junctions in
urban areas. Normally attached onto existing posts
with banding but can be attached onto new 2.4mtr
posts.
Rural Route
Artwork and Design of map board and brochure:
€500.00
Irish Heart Foundation Consultation Fee:
€150.00
Signage costs will depend on the length and nature of route i.e. how many Km points and directional
arrow signs required.
Example of rural signage costs
450mmx 450mm map board
€197.13
Woodland post with kilometre plates
€41.41
Woodland post with directional plates
€33.81
Rural Km Markers: Located at
the start of each route and for
every Km thereafter.
Rural Directional Makers:
Located at junctions to direct
walkers along route.
Recently Developed Route
Mapboard from Aclare, Co.Sligo
Walking Leader Training
Included in the cost of the route development is one free place on one of our national Walking
Leader Training courses. The aim of the course is to train participants to a) motivate people in their
locality to take-up walking as a form of health enhancing physical activity and b) plan and lead safe,
enjoyable, health-enhancing walking sessions for small groups.
The course covers a wide range of issues such as:

Current recommendations for health-enhancing physical activity for adults, and how they
relate to walking.

The main elements of a health enhancing walking session.

Prescribing walking programmes suitable for people of different fitness levels.

Advice on issues such as posture, technique, stretching, intensity, clothing etc.

Practical management of a walking group.

Safety issues

Planning walking sessions and programmes.

Motivations and tips

Developing a Slí na Sláinte route

How to start your own walking group.
This course is subsidised by the Irish Heart Foundation, the HSE and the Irish Sports Council.
Tara Curran
Health Promotion Department
Irish Heart Foundation
50 Ringsend Road
Dublin 4
[email protected]
Tel: 01 668 5001