Waipuke park to be opened next year
28 October 2014
Prime riverfront land at Lake Karapiro looks set to open as a public park in time for summer 2015/2016.
Waipa District Council has announced plans to begin the staged development of Waipuke Park, located just up river of the Mighty River Domain.
But before significant work begins, the council wants the community to suggest how the park should be developed and what sort of recreation should be encouraged on the site.
Council purchased 40 hectares of land in 2001, always intending that it would be opened up for public use. The site, which is next to a lake inlet, is made up of 30 hectares on an upper terrace and 10 hectares on a lower terrace. The lower terrace is immediately adjacent to Lake Karapiro and includes a sizeable beach.
Next summer (2015/2016), the council wants to open up at least three to four hectares on the lakefront with more land being made publicly accessible in future years as resources allow.
Until now the land, which is not visible from the road, has been leased and farmed. However, in around 12 months, a working group of staff and councillors are working towards opening part of the site to the public via vehicular access from Maungatautari Road. This will provide easy access for users to the property's beach and lakeshore.
Mayor Jim Mylchreest, who was involved in the original land purchase when working for the council, said work has been quietly underway at the site for the last few years. Trees have been planted and basic infrastructure including a toilet and a carpark have been installed.
We're now in a position to gradually begin opening up Waipuke Park so that the people of Waipa can enjoy it. But we need to do that in stages so that it can be properly managed and maintained, he said.
He acknowledged some people might immediately expect a boat-ramp to be installed at the park but that was still on a wish list and installing a ramp was not as easy as it sounded.
We know there is a huge demand at Lake Karapiro over summer for another boat ramp but there are some logistical and financial challenges in putting a boat ramp at that site because the water along the length of the beach is so shallow, he said.
That's something we're continuing to work through but in the meantime, there is no reason why the site could not be used by kayakers, swimmers, for picnics and the like. We're open to suggestions from the community. This is a Waipa asset and we want to hear what Waipa people have to say.
Over the next few weeks the council will be actively seeking suggestions on what sort of facilities - if any - the public wanted at Waipuke Park. Suggestions will be sought via facebook, an ideas tree at the libraries and from direct feedback to councillors and staff. Aerial footage of the site will also be on the council's Facebook page and website.
Elected councillors will take those suggestions into account when considering how much money to allocate to Waipuke Park development in the 2015-2025 10-Year Plan.
Mayor Mylchreest said the site was absolutely beautiful and needs to be developed in a way that's affordable and that meets the community's aspirations and needs.
It's an exciting project for Waipa and we need to make sure we get it right.
Media enquiries to Jeanette Tyrrell (on behalf of Council) 027 5077 599
