evidence: Lagan Valley Regional Park is Northern Ireland's first and only Regional Park. The River Lagan and its surrounding valley landscapes are renowned for their natural beauty. At the heart of the Lagan Valley are the River Lagan and canal systems that form the main access and wildlife corridor bridging two of Northern Ireland's population centres. This unique area is typified by its rolling landscapes, ornamental parklands and farmland. The Lagan Valley Regional Park was established in 1967 as one of three unique semi-urban designations in the UK at that time. The Lagan Valley Regional Park is located between Stranmillis, Belfast and Union locks, Lisburn and covers some 2,116 hectares of countryside and eleven miles of riverbank. The Regional Park is a mosaic of countryside, urban parks, heritage sites, nature reserves and riverside trails. The backbone of the Regional Park is the River Lagan and towpath - offering miles of level walking in tranquil, attractive surroundings. Its rich local history includes relics of the old Lagan Navigation and linen industry, whilst its more distant past is represented by Norman mottes and evidence of early Stone Age settlements (i.e. Giant's ring).