Tuesday, December 22, 2015

Playground and track upgrades for Totara Reserve

Upgrades to the Fern Walk, a proposed new playground and recently completed signage upgrades are some of the exciting things happening at Totara Reserve.

The proposed playground will occupy a section of the Camp Kereru campsite and draw on the natural beauty of its environment.

Plans for the playground feature: a balance disc, basket swing, log bridges, log mound and a balance rope. It has been designed to cater for all ages and will be naturally sourced where possible.

The project received $20,000 worth of funding from Eastern and Central Community Trust and a number of contractors and suppliers have expressed an interest in getting involved

Horizons Regional Council is providing funding for the project, however a further $40,000 of external funding is still required to see the project completed.

Horizons biosecurity and biodiversity manager Bill Martyn says Horizons is appealing for community support to assist with further funding.

“We will be relying on the generosity of local organisations and funding institutions to make up the shortfall and we would encourage anyone who can provide assistance to get in touch with the team.

“The playground will be an asset to the Reserve and it’s something users have requested for a long time,” says Mr Martyn.

Developments are also underway on the Reserve’s tracks and Martyn says a new section of the Fern Walk has just been completed.

“The 700m of new track will take walkers away from a track previously shared with a neighbouring farmer.

“This installation is part of a development programme aiming to make the track easier and safer for walkers to navigate, “says Mr Martyn.

Further upgrades are planned for the future including: two bridges, water controls so that the track drains more efficiently, and upgrades that would allow all of the tracks in the Reserve to be linked together.

Signage has recently been installed around the Reserve to make it easier to locate trails, the campgrounds, important places, and other useful signs about camp life.

“One of the most anticipated projects is a foot bridge to keep walkers off the road and Horizons is keen to get this bridge installed for safety reasons.

“There are still a few obstacles but we’re hoping to work with local organisations to get the bridge installed early next year,” Mr Martyn says.

More information about the Reserve, its facilities and rates for camping is available via the Horizons Regional Council websitewww.horizons.govt.nz

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