Upgrades scheduled for Ōhaupō Memorial Park and Kāniwhaniwha Reserve

The carpark and driveway at Ōhaupō Memorial Park will be getting a much-welcomed upgrade from next week and the carpark at Kāniwhaniwha Reserve will undergo minor improvements and a small extension.

Waipā District Council will be starting the Ōhaupō Memorial Park upgrade from Monday 4 April, with work expected to take two weeks. The upgrade involves resurfacing the existing driveway and carparks with new chipseal, and is paid for through the 2021-31 Long Term Plan annual renewals budget.

Acting Community Services Manager Brad Ward said the upgrade would improve the carpark to provide the level of service intended.

“These are well-loved by our communities so we’re undertaking these improvements to help improve the overall experience and safety of visitors to these parks and reserves.”

In the coming months, Council will also begin upgrading the carpark at Kāniwhaniwha Reserve, another popular reserve for visitors.

“In 2005, the reserve’s carpark was extended to accommodate visitors exploring the adjoining Mt Pirongia Forest Park as there was no safe shoulder to park on along Limeworks Loop Road.”

“Since then, the popularity of the Reserve and Park has grown and the carpark is often full during peak times.”

The Kāniwhaniwha Reserve upgrades will involve extending the existing car park further into the lower terrace, along with additional surface improvements.

A maintenance gate will be relocated as part of the upgrade, and the timber bollards will be replaced with new bollards made from recycled plastic which will have a longer lifespan and better performance.

The carpark extension is designed to cater for increasing demand of the popular summer getaway and will allow visitors to park in a safer manner for both themselves and other park users, added Ward.