Morrinsville Recreation Ground has a new perimeter path for the community to walk, run, bike, skate and scoot along, thanks to Long Term Plan and Waka Kotahi Transport Choices funding. The shared path, also accessible for mobility scooters, wheelchairs and prams, opened to the public on Thursday 16 November following an early morning blessing by local hapū Ngāti Werewere of Ngāti Hauā.

Mayor Adrienne said the path is looking good and it is great to see it is ready sooner than anticipated.  “Our staff and contractors have done a wonderful job, the path opens up access to the Rec and provides another walking and biking option for the community,” she said. “We’re pleased to deliver one of the more popular ideas from our ‘Reimagine Morrinsville Rec’ consultation last year and feedback already shows it is set to be a popular track.”

The perimeter path is made up of a 950m by 3m wide concrete shared path on the reserve that runs along the railway track from Lorne St to Avenue Road South, a 3m wide chipsealed section along Avenue Road South and a 2m wide unsealed section along the river. The new path joins up to the existing paths and river walk to create a loop. 

A pop up pump track is also on its way to Morrinsville Recreation Ground next month, thanks to Transport Choices funding. The 65m long track, with a combination of humps and berms for all riding abilities will be initially set up at Anderson Park next to the playground. A community event, to celebrate the opening of the perimeter path and pop up pump track, is set for Sunday 10 December, 11am-1pm.

Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency Urban Mobility Manager Kathryn King is delighted to see the project come to fruition. “The shared path is a fabulous example of the local community, council and Waka Kotahi working together to have a lasting impact. It will provide a much-needed connection to the beautiful Morrinsville Recreation Ground, and support tamariki and their whānau to be able to move around their neighbourhood without having to always rely on a car,” she said. “And it’s opening just in time for summer – what more could we ask for?”

The Morrinsville Rec perimeter path and pop up pump track are part of a package of transport projects across the district that has received funding from Waka Kotahi's Transport Choices programme. Transport Choices is part of the Climate Emergency Response Fund investing in projects nationwide that provide safer and more convenient choices for walking, cycling, and public transport. Waka Kotahi funding is currently on hold for some of our Transport Choices projects until further notice. 

You can see more about the Morrinsville Recreation Ground perimeter path at mpdc.nz/rec, pop up pump track and other Transport Choices projects at mpdc.nz/walkbikeride

Images: Ngāti Hauā representatives, elected members and project team gather for the Morrinsville Recreation Ground perimeter path blessing.