A Community Opportunity
For several years I’ve been a volunteer on a community project steering committee that successfully advocated, and then has been overseeing, the construction of a walkway/cycleway from one end of Tawa to the other. (Tawa is a northern suburb of Wellington that I live in.)
The middle sections of the pathway were completed first then, more recently, the northern and southern ends. I’m nearest to the northernmost section, which runs from a sports field in Linden to a terminus at Kenepuru Railway Station. It features a bridge across the Porirua Stream, a miniature waterfall visible from it, and a streamside environment. It rivals the southern end for visual attractiveness.
The committee chairperson said he would get me out on the northern section even if (because of worsening arthritis) he had to push me in a wheelchair. That did not prove necessary.
My wife and I walked it for the first time, together, just after Christmas. Disappointingly, there was no one else taking advantage of the new recreational asset while we were there. It left me wondering if the committee’s good intentions were wasted.
We went back yesterday, in a group of four adults, and in the space of fifteen minutes encountered a man walking by himself, a father with three children who were using the pathway for in-line skating, a middle-aged couple, and a young couple. No cyclists.
It was a relief to see for myself that the pathway was being used. I hope it becomes better known and more and more Tawa suburbanites get out to enjoy it, especially now that it’s mid-summer.
The middle sections of the pathway were completed first then, more recently, the northern and southern ends. I’m nearest to the northernmost section, which runs from a sports field in Linden to a terminus at Kenepuru Railway Station. It features a bridge across the Porirua Stream, a miniature waterfall visible from it, and a streamside environment. It rivals the southern end for visual attractiveness.
The committee chairperson said he would get me out on the northern section even if (because of worsening arthritis) he had to push me in a wheelchair. That did not prove necessary.
My wife and I walked it for the first time, together, just after Christmas. Disappointingly, there was no one else taking advantage of the new recreational asset while we were there. It left me wondering if the committee’s good intentions were wasted.
We went back yesterday, in a group of four adults, and in the space of fifteen minutes encountered a man walking by himself, a father with three children who were using the pathway for in-line skating, a middle-aged couple, and a young couple. No cyclists.
It was a relief to see for myself that the pathway was being used. I hope it becomes better known and more and more Tawa suburbanites get out to enjoy it, especially now that it’s mid-summer.
date
newest »
newest »
As present the numbers using the northern section of the walkway/pathway are minimal, however once the Porirua City Council lay their section from Keneperu to Porirua the use I'm certain, will increase.
We should all feel very proud of what we have achieved, and your contribution was an important part of the planning process, which we thank you for.
Brett Gillies, Chairperson, Tawa Walkway Committee.