Background
Linking the parks and reserves closest to the town centre, to create an ‘inner green’ walk and bike route for the community, is a project from our Parks and Open Spaces Strategy 2021-51. This strategy sets a vision for our network of parks and reserves for the next 30 years. 

Inner green route
Included in the strategy is a plan to improve walking and cycling connections, to provide more recreation options and make it safer and easier to move around our towns. The plan for Matamata is to link the ring of green spaces closest to the town centre to form an ‘inner green route' and link the green spaces further out of town to form an 'outer green route'. When we consulted on the strategy, we received strong community support to complete these routes and connect them to the town centre. 

How we will create the route
In order to create a consistent, accessible walk and bike path that is safe and easy to use, we plan to use a series of shared paths, safer accessible crossing points and other improvements. 

Parks and Open Spaces Strategy 2021-51 - We adopted our Open Spaces Strategy in 2021 after consultation with our communities. The Parks and Open Spaces Strategy sets a long-term vision for our parks and open spaces network. It guides decision-making about the provision, development and management of parks and open spaces, to ensure we have the right parks and open spaces, in the right locations, managed in the right way, to meet the needs of our communities. 

Walking and cycling connections in Matamata. Our Parks & Open Spaces Strategy 2021-51 identified additional walking and cycling connections to make it easier to get around our towns. This will be done using a combination of 'linkage parks' (parks/reserves that provide open spaces, but also a pathway or link from one place to another) and through shared paths. You can find a more details about the planned walking and cycling connections in Matamata, Morrinsville and Te Aroha here.

Strategic Direction Summary  Council has set its strategic direction to inform our priorities and work programme moving forward. The strategic direction aligns with the four community wellbeings – social, environmental, cultural and economic which are core pillars of local government’s mandate.