New Regional Park opens with a flourish

The Ashley Rakahuri Regional Park was officially opened on the 14th October with a community event organised by Environment Canterbury at the picnic area on Milton Avenue in Rangiora.

Events at the opening included guided walks and cycle tours, BMX races, children’s activities about the local birdlife and a sausage sizzle.

Displays were also set up in the picnic area by Environment Canterbury, Department of Conservation, North Canterbury Cycling Club, Ashley Rakahuri Rivercare Group and Pushbikes Rangiora to promote the awareness of the birds that breed and nest in the riverbed as well as the recreational activities available in the park.

“The collaboration of all the groups in showcasing this part of the Ashley Rakahuri River was a fantastic way to illustrate to people that everything is connected,” says Environment Canterbury commissioner Rex Williams.

“It was a great day for people of all ages, and a fantastic way to promote the park for its recreational, environmental and conservation features.”

Park development started in 2011 and now along with the new picnic areas and improved recreational space there is just under four kilometres of the Rakahuri walkway completed. It is hoped that people will now see the river as a place of value and treat it with greater respect.

“Over time Environment Canterbury is endeavouring to make the Ashley River and surrounds a welcoming place for people and wildlife. We have a strong focus on biodiversity and look forward to working with the River Care Group, local landowners, the Department of Conservation, Waimakariri District Council and Te Ngāi Tūāhuriri Rūnanga.

“We want people to enjoy the benefits of such a great natural resource at their doorstep, use it for recreation and understand that they share it with threatened birds such as the Wrybill, Terns and Stilts which need space and special consideration.”

Environment Canterbury wishes to acknowledge the Ashley Rakahuri River Care group for championing the threatened species and actively promoting awareness of their existence.

Mr Williams explains that thanks to them the local populations have been holding their own, while almost everywhere else they are in decline.

Another group who got behind the new park is the North Canterbury Cycle Club who have helped to improve the Rakahuri Trail by barrowing about thirty tonnes of shingle, digging drains and rolling the track by hand plus hand building another four sections of track in forest east of the railway line.