Friday, August 25, 2006
The Riverside Walkway - a Not-So-Hidden Gem
When is a hidden gem not a hidden gem - when it's the Helensville Riverside Walkway.
There has been heaps of local publicity about this wonderful new town asset - yet I wonder how many locals have actually walked along it.
Running from the Riverside Reserve to the carpark beside the chemist in Commercial Road, it's a credit to the hard-working volunteers of the Helensville Riverside Heritage Trust.
The Trust has toiled away on the 1km stretch of walkway beside the Kaipara River for five years, planting around 4000 native trees and shrubs and spending approximately 3500 hours weeding, clearing, and planting. Particularly impressive are the structures at the Commercial Road end of the walkway, with viewing platforms, stairs and boardwalks.
It's true, the Kaipara isn't the most scenic river in the world, but the walkway still shows a wonderfully different aspect of Helensville. And the river was, of course, of utmost importance in the original development of the town.
The walkway is still under development, with plenty of work planned in the future. It's a great way for people staying in the township to reach the new historical Pioneer Village at the Riverside Reserve without having to walk along the busy main road.
So come on locals - get off your butts and go for a stroll. It only takes a few minutes, and you will see a side of Helensville you won't have seen before.
There has been heaps of local publicity about this wonderful new town asset - yet I wonder how many locals have actually walked along it.
Running from the Riverside Reserve to the carpark beside the chemist in Commercial Road, it's a credit to the hard-working volunteers of the Helensville Riverside Heritage Trust.
The Trust has toiled away on the 1km stretch of walkway beside the Kaipara River for five years, planting around 4000 native trees and shrubs and spending approximately 3500 hours weeding, clearing, and planting. Particularly impressive are the structures at the Commercial Road end of the walkway, with viewing platforms, stairs and boardwalks.
It's true, the Kaipara isn't the most scenic river in the world, but the walkway still shows a wonderfully different aspect of Helensville. And the river was, of course, of utmost importance in the original development of the town.
The walkway is still under development, with plenty of work planned in the future. It's a great way for people staying in the township to reach the new historical Pioneer Village at the Riverside Reserve without having to walk along the busy main road.
So come on locals - get off your butts and go for a stroll. It only takes a few minutes, and you will see a side of Helensville you won't have seen before.
# posted by Dave @ 3:46 PM 
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Thanks Dave for your comments on the Walkway. The group overseeing the development with the Council is the Helensville Riverside Heritage. [HRH]. Tenders are awaited for stage 2 for the building of a lookout/landing/pontoon. These are expected to be built this summer. Then it is hoped to have a new entranceway with the development of Creek Lane. The plans will be in the Council Service Centre for public comments.
# posted by 
: 4:33 PM
: 4:33 PM
Another comment on the next stage. The Council has approved the building of Stage 2 and it will be started in January. The builder is local.
The pontoon will be delayed until further funds can be found., but the rest of the project is expected to be completed by April.
The pontoon will be delayed until further funds can be found., but the rest of the project is expected to be completed by April.
# posted by : 8:17 PM
: 8:17 PM
I know there is more up to date news.
Bust here is a bit of the Past.
Photos of progress since the Project started.
http://www.smartone2.com/HRHsite/HRH.htm
Alan
Bust here is a bit of the Past.
Photos of progress since the Project started.
http://www.smartone2.com/HRHsite/HRH.htm
Alan
I think the river side walk is a waste of money!! Helensville should be spending any spare funds that it has on repairing its degraded infrastructure, i.e. the sewerage system.
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# posted by : 9:16 PM
: 9:16 PM << Home
