Wear green to celebrate the walkway
Green will be the colour of fun on Sunday.
That is the day the South Taranaki District Council is holding a Family Fun Day with a green theme. The day begins with the opening of the second stage of the Denby Rd walkway.
South Taranaki Mayor Ross Dunlop will officially open the walkway on Sunday March 18 with the fun starting at 1pm next to the Sandford’s Depot on Fairfield Rd, Ha¯wera. Carparks are available at Sandford’s.
‘‘We want to make it a fun event for the whole family so we’ve chosen a theme, which is anything green,’’ South Taranaki District Council group manager of engineering services, Brent Manning said. ‘‘Get dressed up in your favourite green costume, come along and bring your wheels – scooter, bike or buggy, or just your legs.
‘‘There will be treats and prizes and a free barbecue being run by the Ha¯ wera Hockey Club.’’
Manning says the new section of pathway, named Te Araroa i te Huarahi o Denby, comes off the existing Denby Rd pathway and runs across farmland and connects with Fairfield Rd. ‘‘It effectively creates a loop from Denby Rd to Fairfield and back on to Manawapou Rd, with the longterm goal of linking up with Nowell’s Lakes. With a fine chip seal, the pathway will be good for walkers, cyclists, joggers and for people on mobility scooters,’’ he said.
Dunlop said the 1.7km pathway was just one of several pathways the Council was building as part of a District Pathways Programme.
‘‘The Pathways Programme is about council creating safe and enjoyable places for people to walk or cycle in order to enhance the lifestyle and recreational opportunities across the district,’’ he said. ‘‘It’s a key element contributing to our council’s vision of making South Taranaki the most liveable district in New Zealand.’’
‘‘We want to make it a fun event for the whole family.’’
Brent Manning
This walkway opening follows another the council opened on March 1, Te Ara Hi koi ki te Arawhiti o Manawapou, which is an easy 20-minute stroll along the former Ingahape Rd through farmland to the historical Manawapou Viaduct. The Manawapou Viaduct is part of the Manawatu-New Plymouth rail line but has carried only freight since the cancellation of the last passenger service in 1977 and stands 44.5 metres high above the river.