Te Awamutu Courier

Bridge work pleasing

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It is pleasing to see work commencing on two foot bridges in the War Memorial Park. Safety fencing has been installed and council staff have door knocked local residents to inform them of the programme and the work involved. These details are also on the Waipa¯ District Council website (under the Major Projects tab). It is also good to see that council’s website notes the bridges commemorat­e the three armed services, although the website doesn’t make it clear that the bridge near the netball courts is specifical­ly dedicated to the army, the bridge near the playground to the air force, and the bridge next to Mutu St to the navy. This was a key feature of the original park design and determined after consultati­on with the RSA. A further consultati­on is now under way, also involving the RSA and mana whenua, regarding the signage and decoration of the side panels of the new bridges.

The two new bridges will improve access to the/an important part of the park on the north side of the Mangaohoi Stream. This area was originally donated by local farmer Austin Yarndley in 1951 as an area for picnicking and as a playground — and has featured a variety of play equipment over the years.

While work will not be completed until July it is expected that better access will again make the north side of the stream a popular picnic and play area.

Hopefully a review of council’s project priorities will see the mara hupara play trail constructe­d here sooner rather than later and thus restore the visions of the original park designers and land donor — and strengthen links to mana whenua.

Finally a big thank you to the council staff who prepared the park and got the Peace Fountain operating for Anzac Day.

Craig Smart President Waipa¯ War Memorial Park Maintenanc­e Group

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