Groups called to make mark on park

Park Manager - Ric Balfour


Wanted … enthusiastic, energetic and motivated people who don’t mind getting their hands dirty and their feet stuck in the mud.

That’s the challenge from TECT All Terrain Park manager Ric Balfour whose task is to harness the energy and enthusiasm of potential user groups to start making their mark on the park.

By June this year, safe access to the 1685ha wilderness park off SH36 in upper Pyes Pa will be built via an underpass at the intersection of the highway and Whataroa Road.

But behind the scenes Ric is busy making contact with the many user groups that have expressed interest in the park, to see just how keen they are in helping get things under way.

While everyone cannot wait for the day they can simply go to the park and play – the reality is there is an enormous task ahead before the land is ready for use.

For starters there is no formal access into the park and within the park there is only a forestry road network with restricted reach to the park’s vast perimeter.

Ric has begun discussions with the Bay of Plenty and Rotorua 4WD clubs who are keen to contribute their expertise and vehicle-power to cutting the first trails through the park for core access routes.

There’s also some cleaning up to do.

The park has been used as an illegal rubbish dump and piles of household garbage, animal carcasses and bottles litter areas off the forestry roads. So one of Ric’s first tasks is to clean up the mess and he’s hoping user groups will lend a hand.

“We will have a massive clean-up day in early spring and that is when the user groups can step up and show that they are really serious.”

The key to taking the park to the next step rests on the commitment of the user groups, says Ric.

“It will be challenging to realise the aspirations of the public and to meet the expectations of user groups.

“We have a lot of hard work ahead to get the fundamentals in place before we can build the information centre, car park and ranger station. We are two years away from having a road system in place to access the park.”

Meanwhile Ric welcomes users to give him a call to discuss what’s entailed in planning a place in the park. This includes developing a management plan, finding a suitable site, arranging lease details and discussing how Council can help facilitate clubs to get started.

• User groups and individuals who want to be involved with the TECT All Terrain Park can contact Ric Balfour, phone 571-8008 or email ric.balfour@wbopdc.govt.nz