Planning more trails on the Pohutukawa Coast
Planning is underway by a group of community representatives for more walking, cycling and horse riding trails in the Beachlands/Maraetai area. Following community feedback, the Franklin Local Board has made it a priority to plan a network of trails across the local board area. Beachlands/Maraetai is selected first for the project, and the board will work in partnership with the community to develop a greenways plan. A new group, called the Pohutukawa Coast Trails Steering Group, was established in March this year. A broad range of local interests is represented on the group, including: Pohutukawa Coast Community Association, Pohutukawa Coast Rotary, Pohutukawa Coast Bike Club, Beachlands/ Maraetai Pony Club, Beachlands Maraetai & Districts Historical Society, Whitford Residents & Ratepayers Association, Pohutukawa Coast Sea Rescue, Te Puru and Franklin Local Board. The group is enthusiastic about the potential for increasing the quality, number and effectiveness of trails for walking, cycling and horse riding in the area. Broadly the aims are to ensure that locals can easily get around using pathways and also access the coastal attractions. Franklin Local Board member, Malcolm Bell, says “Beachlands/Maraetai has plenty of potential to add to the trails already in existence, with the possibility to link further west to Whitford and south to Clevedon in the future.”