Pack your picnic hamper, bring your friends and family and enjoy some time at this recreation area next to the glistening Lake Karāpiro.
Details
Address: 953 Maungatautari Road, not far beyond the Mighty River Domain (when travelling from Cambridge). The park is located 1.3km off the road. (Map)
Access: Gates are locked from 9pm to 7am during summer (daylight savings period), and from 7pm to 7am in winter.
Toilets: Yes
Dogs: Dogs are to be on leash between 10am and 6pm (daylight saving time) and between 10am and 3pm (winter time). Outside of these hours your dog can be off-leash. Although your dog can be off a leash here at times, you need to be in control of your pet at all times. Dogs are not allowed in the playground area.
Rubbish: Please take all rubbish home with you
Playground: There is climbing equipment and swings at this park, plus lots of open space for games, and access to the water for swimming and kayaking.
The story of Waipuke Park
Council purchased 40 hectares of land in 2001, always intending that it would be opened up for public use. Situated next to a lake inlet, the site is comprised of 30 hectares on an upper terrace and 10 hectares on a lower terrace. The lower terrace is immediately adjacent to Lake Karāpiro and includes a sizeable beach.
As part of deliberations for the 2015-2025 10-Year Plan, councillors allocated funds for early development of the first two hectares of parkland. The decision followed overwhelmingly positive public feedback about the proposal to set aside the land for public use.
There are still more exciting plans to include some of the hundreds of suggestions we received from the public, but for now you can enjoy the green space, safe swimming and kayaking spot, stunning views, playground and picnic facilities.
