Tuesday, October 06, 2009
Popular Wainuiomata Trail Park has a new addition with the opening of a family friendly loop track designed to challenge and inspire.
The Wetland Loop is a two kilometre track beginning at Waiu Street in Wainuiomata and is part of Hutt City Council’s continued development of the park.
Mayor David Ogden, a keen cyclist, describes the new loop track as “ideal” for families looking to take a step up from the Hutt River Trail or Rimutaka Rail Trail.
“The new loop is sure to be a hit with both walkers and cyclists this summer and will make a great family day out.
“As a council, one of the things we want to provide residents is affordable access to community facilities and the Wetland Loop is a great example of our work in this area.
“We also have plans to develop a park area near the carpark at the end of Waiu Street where people can enjoy a picnic before or after they hit the trail,” says Mayor Ogden.
The track goes through manuka and kanuka trees and travels through a wetland area over a raised timber board walk. There’s also a seat on the boardwalk for people to rest and enjoy the view.
The loop offers plenty of room on the one kilometre outward leg which is based on an old 4x4 track. The return leg is narrower and aimed at those with a slightly higher level of experience.
The Wainuiomata Trail Park site covers farm land formerly owned by the Wainuiomata Milk Corporation. To reflect the area’s history with milk, council has recently advertised its intention to rename the park Waiu (mothers’ milk) Park.