Ferry Reserve is becoming a popular place for picnickers and campers, thanks to continual additions to its environment and facilities.
Tararua District Council, the Ferry Reserve Board, Horizons Regional Council and Rangitane o Tamaki Nui a Rua are combining to upgrade the facilities now that the river is cleaner and suitable for fishing and swimming.
In the latest project mahoe, toe toe, mountain flax, cabbage trees and karamu were planted three weeks ago as part of the Tu Te Manawa Project.
Eight sites will be planted along the Manawatu with a whare built to provide information about the environment and hapu involvement.
Framing is up for the first whare adjacent to the plantings of native trees in 2011 when All Black Sam Strahan and helpers planted the reserve to mark the Rugby World Cup.
With the building of toilets, upgrade of the road and picnic tables scattered in appropriate spots, the reserve is looking set for the summer influx.
Almost every night a campervan parks up and tents are beginning to appear.
Tui Iwikau from Palmerston North spent a week of beautiful weather in mid-November with his partner, in the reserve catching eels and "living with nature".
He says that the river is clean and the eels are good to eat - a sign the Manawatu Accord is starting to work.