Track developers receive 'golden shovel'

Rozanna and Frank Rawlinson struck gold yesterday when they were presented with the gold shovel for their development of the 21km Harakeke Forest track. PHOTO/STUART MUNRO 150913WCSMGOLDSHOVEL1

Yesterday was a celebration for the hard work Rozanna and Frank Rawlinson have put into the Harakeke Forest, and to farewell the old pines that will be felled any day soon.

Wanganui Mountain Bike youth development officer Nigel McIlroy said Dr and Mrs Rawlinson had driven the development of the 21km track over the past two and a half years in the forest.

The Rawlinsons had been out in the forest developing the new tracks, and were presented with a "gold shovel" in recognition of their work to the community facility.

Mr McIlroy said it was a great facility because it was purpose-built and easy terrain to learn on.

The club has a membership of 500 with children as young as two and a half, and riders up to 80 years, who have enjoyed the tracks over the past three years.

The club is the biggest in the Wanganui-Manawatu.

"It's a great track for health and fitness," Mr McIlroy said.

The Harakeke Forest is at the back of Whanganui Prison and the track runs across the back of the Marangai.