There are all sorts of botanical secrets stashed away in South and Central Taranaki, says South Taranaki District Council property and facilities manager John Sargeant.
"In Eltham, there is Bridger Park on Bridger Street that's worth a visit. Children will enjoy looking at the toy wall, which has many hundreds of toys cemented into it."
Naumai Park in Hawera is good this time of year, and there's also the Goodson Dell, on the corner of High and Cambria streets, Mr Sargeant says. It is a small reserve gifted to the council some years ago and it has been developed and is cared for by a group of volunteers who call themselves the Goodson Guerrillas because they wage war on weeds and vandals.
"It's one of the best-kept secrets in Hawera. It's a bit like Dr Who's Tardis bigger on the inside than on the outside."
A trip a little farther afield is to Glen-Nui Park, at the top end of Lake Rotokare, a jaunt designed to be accompanied by a chicken sandwich and a flask of tea, Mr Sargeant says.
"Turn inland at the Eltham library and head out east. Follow your nose out over the Mangamingi Saddle and through Mangamingi. About 10 minutes past Mangamingi, turn right up Glen Nui Road and you'll find the park, which overlooks the lake. And it's fenced, so it's safe for kids and there's room to kick a ball around.
"In spring, it's full of bluebells and in autumn, there's chestnuts. Kids can skim stones on the river and it's well worth the journey out there."
There are good toilet facilities and barbecues there.
"It's one of my favourite out-of-the-way spots, where I go for some peace and quiet."
Farther south, at the Manaia Domain, is a rich trove of local history. To get there, go down Bennett Drive to the sports ground, walk around the 18th hole on the golf fairway and look for the watchtower poking up through the trees. The watchtower is part of the Manaia redoubt and it is a replica of one built in 1880 for the use of Parihaka chief Te Whiti o Rongomai and his followers.
"It's got some exceptional history there. and on one wall is some amazing graffiti. It's the names of people who wrote them before they went away to war, promising to come back, but they never did. It's hugely poignant."
Drive a bit farther south to Waitotara and you'll find a good beach called Wai-nui, Waitotara or Nukumaru, depending on who you ask, Mr Sargeant says. If you want some respite from the summer heat, there are six free public swimming pools cared for by the council at Kaponga, Rawhitiroa, Eltham, Waverley, Patea and Manaia. At Kaponga, the pool is in a lovely sheltered spot and as it's not very deep, gets quite warm and is ideal for families. The region's only public diving board is at Rawhitiroa. All pools are free to use and have qualified lifeguards on duty and are all open until 7pm, so it's a great way to cool off after exploring sunny South Taranaki.
In the north around New Plymouth, walkers looking for a quieter adventure than they'll find on the super popular coastal walkway could head to Lake Mangamahoe, suggests parks programme manager Steve McGill of the New Plymouth District Council.
To get there, turn off into Lake Mangamahoe opposite Kent Road and you'll find a sign board that shows the various trails through the forest. There is a bridle trail for horses, tracks for mountain bikers and others for walking. Many of these tracks require reasonable mobility, but those who are not up to walking far can enjoy the drive alongside the lake, which has several picnic areas, waterfowl to watch and feed, and toilets near the gates.
At Barrett's Lagoon, on the western end of New Plymouth, is an area of bush and grassy spaces with several quite gentle walks through it. One track meanders through a forest of young kauri, others though established bush full of birdsong. It is suitable for family rambles or for walking dogs, and there are ducks to feed from a wooden platform on the lagoon itself.
Another city walkway worth a wander is the Herekawe, which begins at Manadon Street on the city's southern boundary and trickles along beside the Herekawe Stream to Back Beach. It's gentle enough for the youngest of walkers to enjoy.
One of the most obvious places to go walking right now is in the centre of the province the good old mountain, Mr McGill says.
On a good day, pack up a lunch and head up to Dawson Falls or North Egmont for a short stroll or an invigorating tramp.
"It's certainly nice up there at this time of year. It can be a little cooler and there are lots of tracks for different levels of fitness and experience."
Taranaki Daily News | Friday, 02 January 2009
No comments:
Post a Comment