A project to create an accessible walkway between suburbs in Porirua has received a Golden Foot Walking Award from Living Streets Aotearoa.
The Walking Awards celebrate and recognise New Zealand achievements for walkers/pedestrians by acknowledging innovative new facilities, highlighting national best practice, and rewarding ongoing commitment to walking and pedestrians.
The Conclusion Walkway upgrade project was an upgrade of an old 2.5 kilometre-long service access track in an under-utilised and steep reserve. The track provides pedestrians with multiple connections to Ascot Park and Papakōwhai.
“The project sought to improve connectivity between local communities while maintaining great views out over Te Awarua-o-Porirua Harbour and the Whitireia Peninsula,” says Porirua City Council Parks & City Services Manager, Julian Emeny.
“We are honoured that the hard work of our team has been recognised at a national level.”
The land was originally cut to provide access to service sewer, water and stormwater services and was being used by some who were able to navigate the steep and sometimes slippery terrain.
“Creating a more accessible walkway that met Council’s track standards on such a demanding site was an awesome piece of work,” says Mr Emeny.
Council contractors, Tascon, reshaped the steepest parts of the original track below Conclusion Street and made the surface all-weather, creating accessibility all year round. This makes it much more usable for a broader age range and to people with restricted walking ability, said Mr Emeny.
“A lot of the walkers who use the walkway are elderly and wanted to enjoy exercise on a safe walkway with space to allow other users to pass by or stop to have a chat,” he said.
The project also included removing some pine trees, which allowed the track designers to improve the gradient and enhance the great views along the walkway.
Council worked with Frame Group for the track’s design, and Tascon NZ Ltd completed the civil works.
