The local sporting community will be encouraged by a plan that will help enhance their fitness levels.
Formulated by Trails Wairarapa Trust, the proposal, which was put to the Masterton District Council's draft annual plan discussions this week, aims to promote walking and cycling through the formation of new multi-purpose trailsalongside river banks.
Current thoughts are being focused on the Waipoua trail and the Three Rivers trail, with the initial plan seeing trails constructed on either side of the Waipoua river, from Henley Lake, to link via the railway bridge.
The second is a larger enterprise to facilitate a cycling and walking trail in a circuit going from Henley Lake along the Waipoua, Ruamahanga and Waingawa rivers and Ngaumatawa Rd.
This is presently the subject of a feasibility study supported by a financial contribution from the MDC.
Stage one of the Waipoua trail project will provide a 2m-wide trail from Colombo Rd to Akura Rd along the south bank of the Waipoua river, mostly following the rough track presently there.
The trail will consist of a base material, which will be obtained on-site, and a crown of compacted crushed lime in keeping with the Fourth St and Henley Lake MDC trails.
It will be culverted as necessary and protected from vehicles by limestone boulders at 50m intervals
The trail will be formed in a manner that will avoid flood damage and minimise maintenance as much as possible, and it is intended that car parking will be established at Tankersley Pool.
Further west there will space available for a picnic area complete with tables and chairs, with the idea being to have this area protected by a fence or bollards running at right angles to the trail from road to river.
Trails Wairarapa Trust chairman Rob Irwin said the purpose of this new track was to provide the people of Masterton, and visitors to the town, with an extension of the Henley Lake experience along a beautiful and little used part of the town.
He said there would be places along the trail where users would find it hard to believe they were in the centre of Masterton because of the trees, birdlife and the river running alongside.
"This type of facility sits well with the modern trends of council and health boards to facilitate sports, leisure and healthy living in their communities," Irwin said.
