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Trails Prove Popular

Wednesday 24 October 2012, 1:13PM

By Queenstown Lakes District Council

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Queenstown 4-year-olds Ollie Blakey and Otis Clarborough check out the Queenstown Trail at the weekend.
Queenstown 4-year-olds Ollie Blakey and Otis Clarborough check out the Queenstown Trail at the weekend. Credit: Malcolm Blakey

QUEENSTOWN

The public reaction to the newly opened Queenstown Trail has been incredible, QLDC community services general manager Paul Wilson said.

Despite less than ideal weather and a packed events calendar large numbers of walkers, joggers and cyclists got out to try the 100km plus Queenstown Trail over the long weekend.

“We know that 2228 people crossed the 80 metre Edgar Bridge over Labour Weekend with high numbers also trying out the section from the Lower Shotover Bridge to Morven Ferry Road (823).

One of 18 trails on the New Zealand Cycleway, the trail was officially opened by the Prime Minister on Thursday, last week.

“It was great to see so many people giving the trail a go over the weekend, particularly the large number of family groups and novice riders,” Mr Wilson said.

The Council would continue to monitor numbers over the coming year to help assess the economic impact of the trail.

Anyone who rode the trail was encouraged to complete a short online survey at www.queenstowntrail.co.nz. The trail map was also available at the site.

“The results of the survey will help the Council and Trust identify any issues and prioritise improvements over the coming years,” he said.

In particular Council and the Trust were keen to get feedback on the trail grade, signs, website and the smartphone app MyParx which provided a live interactive tour of the Queenstown Trail.