Waitekohekohe Recreational Park
Waitekohekohe Recreational Park
The Katikati Recreational Park Development Groups (KKRPDG) purpose is to build a recreational park in a Council owned forestry block just south of Katikati known as the Waitekohekohe Recreational Reserve.
Initially, to cater to the horse and mountain bike communities, we can see already from the work undertaken and the partners that we have bought on that there are many more assets to this reserve.
The council owned reserve is in the upper hill slope catchments of the Kaimai-Mamaku Forest Park, covering an area of 87.982hectares and includes an estimated 5 km of the main Waitekohe Stream margins. From the Waitekohekohe Reserve to the coast is just 5.5 Kms. The idea of linking ecological and archaeological significant areas in a ‘Hills to Ocean’ concept is a goal of this reserve.
Project Parore (a local environmental group) are a welcomed partner to this project. They are already undertaking some pest control on the Lund Road side of the block and will look to extend this across the whole reserve. With their guidance, we will remove the non-native plants along the stream at the bottom of the reserve and plant replacements with more natives. This stretch of the Waitekohe Stream is in very good health and the current bordering natives are spectacular. With the assistance of Project Parore, the aim of the reserve is the enhancement of the biodiversity and habitat of the Waitekohekohe Reserve in particular the riparian and indigenous areas. A further objective is to enhance the area for endangered bird life that struggles to survive in the area.
Working in with our local iwi representatives and archaeologist Brigid Gallagher, we have learned of the significance of the route joining the Waikato and Bay of Plenty. There is one known site of significance and two of interest and we are still to complete a full review. It is our aim to tell the stories of the past with pou and storyboards through the reserve.
We have horse trails that will take 2 – 3 hours to ride. This network includes a galloping track and jumping ally. We are working with MTB track designers from Rotorua to design trails that have a positive impact and that will attract riders from outside the area. These range from beginner (grade 1) to grade 4 trails. The plan is to keep building so please keep an eye on the website for updates.
This is a project that will bring great benefits to Katikati in many ways.
The Waitekohekohe Recreational Park officially opened in March 2023.
Website: Waitekohekohe Recreational Park
