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Motorists speeding through Matakana Country Park and putting children’s lives at risk has prompted the park to prevent vehicles crossing a bridge at the centre of the park at key times.
The park’s Leigh Road and Omaha Flats Road entrances will remain open, but blocking the bridge will be blocked to prevent through traffic.
Park owner John Baker says motorists have been racing through the park at 60km/h when speed signage at the park indicates the limit is 15km/h.
During the first weekend in October, children narrowly avoided being struck by speeding vehicles in two separate incidents.
Mr Baker says there is an equestrian centre at the park, which simply adds to the dangers.
“A car travelling at 60 or 70km/h would scare the hell out of a horse. A person could be bumped off and dragged through the rest of the park. Somebody will be killed. No question about it,” he says.
The bridge will be blocked to cars on weekends and school holidays between 9.30am and 2.30pm, when the park’s miniature train operates.
Mr Baker says visitors will still enjoy full access to park businesses and facilities, but may sometimes have to park their car and walk a few metres across the bridge to access them.
“We would hope that the public in general will respect our action,” he says.
Matakana Country Park is a privately owned 50-acre estate, which hosts a wide range of family-friendly activities.
