Arapuke Forest Park users advised to plan ahead

Harvest operations in Arapuke Forest Park will start on Monday 29 September 2014 and run through to April next year.

During the harvest season Arapuke Forest Park will be open to recreational users from 7pm to midnight Monday to Thursday, 7pm Friday to midnight Sunday and on statutory holidays.

However, park users are advised some sections and tracks within the forest maybe closed completely, while some may be closed for one or two days.

Palmerston North City Council forester Mark Johnston says Arapuke is a working forest and public cooperation during the harvest will be appreciated.

“There will be plenty of signage at both Scotts Road end, Kahuterawa Road end and throughout the forest. “There will also be updates posted to the council’s Facebook page, website and also the Manawatū Mountain Bike Club’s website.”

Mark says the Sledge Track and Back Track, including the Te Araroa Trail where it passes close to the forest, may be affected by the logging at any stage. “The Park is a dangerous place during the harvesting season. There will be heavy machinery and log stacks in the forest and recreational users need to be wary of service vehicles on weekends.”

Due to an increase in logging trucks Mark Johnston says the Council is calling on non-Scotts Road residents to avoid using Scotts Road during the week where possible.

“While it’s great to see people out using the tracks, they need to take extra care to check the signs and avoid the closed areas.”

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