Henderson-Massey leading the ride!
You may remember a recent post about cycling in parks in the Orakei Local Board area. We highlighted how the plans sure looked nice, but didn’t seem to show much design for cycling within the parks themselves.
Now here comes a similar plan for Te Rangi Hiroa and Birdwood Winery Estate Reserve, between Ranui and Westgate – and LOOK AT THE AMOUNT OF CYCLING CONTENT (<- plan link).
There’s numerous paths that will be designed for shared use, various ways to get into/through the park for cyclists, and they are also proposing BMX tracks and MTB tracks, for the more adventurous.
Henderson-Massey, of Twin Streams Path fame, is certainly living up to its reputation!
Of course that doesn’t mean we should just take this for granted – CAA will make some comments on the design, and we ask all Westies to please comment on the online form and support this great park and its cycling opportunities.
Be sure to ask for cycling connections to and from the streets to the northeast of the park, and for the 2m shared cycle paths to be widened to the same width as the 3m paths where possible!
General News, Ranui, Sports cycling, Submissions
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Birdwood Winery Estate Reserve, cycling, General News, Henderson-Massey, Orakei Local Board area, Ranui, Sports cycling, Submissions, Te Rangi Hiroa
Fullers (CAA Sponsor)
Themocracy
I’m not convinced that the current Henderson – Massey Local Board deserve much of the credit for this plan. I get the impression that there are several right wing “time servers” (ex Waitakere City Councillors) on that board who would have more interest in spending available money on road upgrades and road widening.
I would be interested in learning exactly which members are supportive of this type of project so that I can encourage them.
For several years now, I have submitted, on cycleway / pedestrian issues, to various committees of the past W.C.C. and to 3 of the past Community Boards and again to the current Massey Henderson – Massey Local Board and I feel that I have received almost zero encouragement, feedback, acknowledgement or just basic communication on what, if anything, has happened with regards to any submission.
In particular, I have perceived the feasibility and asked for a cycleway to link Ranui / Swanson area with the NW cycleway (using Riverpark Reserve – to get away from the traffic in Swanson Road, Universal Drive).
I would be happy to talk it over with Cycle Action Auckland.
regards,
Bryan Pulham
Hi Bryan. The sentiment in the post wasn’t about the Local Board – or any specific politicians – but of their area. When I last spoke to the Local Board (not for CAA, but including on cycling topics), their reception was a bit disinterested as well.
But compared to many other areas of the city, Henderson-Massey areas DOES have quite a few good cycle paths, and some projects in preparation. I think we should whole-heartedly support those – to back those politicians who support them.
Regarding Riverpark Reserve – I love the idea, Bryan but have to bluntly say that I can’t take on any more projects at the moment (already doing 10h plus a week). I’ll ask around among our committee members and associates if someone would be able to meet with you.
I think the Waitakere cycling club the Department of Cycling have had a big hand in getting cycle facilities happening in Te Rangi Hiroa park, so maybe they would be good to contact. Their website says “…DoC is committed to support all kinds of cycling activities in Waitakere, organise exciting events and work with the Council and other organisations on improving the cycling infrastructure in Waitakere…” . http://departmentofcycling.com. But I’m not sure if these mountain bike facilities are already approved – or are they still looking for community funding?
http://www.theaucklander.co.nz/news/chain-reaction/1019249/
The parks you refer to out here in the east aren’t really the same kind of open space on the same scale as the Te Rangi Hiroa and Birdwood Winery estate. To be fair, the Orakei Local Board was in fact very pro-active in taking the lead in getting input from the local community for these nice but small parks which are intensively used as sports grounds as well as by the community. But it’s good to always have cycling considered as a park activity!