WEL grant means more public paths for Waiwhakareke

Next year Hamiltonians will have even greater access to Waiwhakareke - the city’s award-winning natural heritage park. WEL Energy Trust has granted the project $25,000 to extend the park’s network of public paths in 2011.

A 60 hectare wetland in the heart of Hamilton, Waiwhakareke is an award-winning natural heritage park and New Zealand’s largest inland restoration project.

Largely resourced by community funding and volunteers, Waiwhakareke aims to recreate indigenous ecosystems once widespread in the region and draw back the rare birds and wildlife that make them home.

To date, 12 of Waiwhakareke’s 60 hectares have been transformed by over 4,500 people dedicating 10,000 hours to plant 110,000 seedlings.

When it is finished Waiwhakareke will be a rich resource for everyone to enjoy - drawing an estimated 85,000 visitors per annum by 2027 and supporting recreation, education, conservation and science.

Already Waiwhakareke Natural Heritage Park has drawn international recognition. It is one of Australasia's Highly Commended ecological restoration projects, as judged by the Global Restoration Network.

Hamilton City Council reserves planner Andrew Corkill says, “alongside education, conservation and science - recreation is a big part of the vision for Waiwhakareke. That means everyday Hamiltonians being able experience rare and indigenous plants and wildlife in the heart of the city. Walkways and cycleways will be essential to making that experience possible, opening up 60 hectares of restored landscape to walkers, runners, cyclists, families and schools.”

The new walkways will link existing trails to the Park’s entrance, opposite Hamilton Zoo, and open up the proposed planting site for Arbour Day 2011. The tracks are also essential to making work on the park efficient by providing all weather vehicle access.

Mr Corkill says, “A real challenge is in the works for Arbour Day 2011. A challenge all businesses and the community can be proud of. These walkways open up ground zero – the place where it’s all going to happen! We are very pleased with the announcement.”

Details of the 2011 Arbour Day event are to be launched on www.waiwhakareke.co.nz early in the New Year.