Walking the dog in peace

Walking the dog early mornings at Waiwhakaiho river mouth is now sheer bliss with the removal of freedom campers from the reserve, as the large numbers have been best described as absolute chaos.

We as locals were meant to just suck it up as the decline of oil and gas, and lower payout for the dairy farmers, meant tourism was to cover these declines and overcrowding was overlooked for the good of the town.

The day after the ban on freedom campers the bongo drummer that sets up his drums in the early morning on the hill on the classic Taranaki days commented how peaceful the reserve is with them gone.

Last week saw a new groundswell appear and there was parking available for all the surfers that took to the water, and recently the fishermen were back in their favourite spots with over 20 lines out in the river mouth, backed up close to the river bank.

No more long lines of people waiting to use the toilet – those using the walkway can now have a quick comfort stop.

Thank you to the person who found out it was illegal to pitch a tent in our parks and reserves and freedom camp.

What better Christmas present could the NPDC give their ratepayers, to have their parks and reserves back again to enjoy.

We truly live in the best place in the world here. Sheer bliss to take that morning walk again.

Ted Burrows, New Plymouth

Media Council