Scenic track with purpose

The latest track built at Shakespear Open Sanctuary was officially opened on November 28. Around 30 people attended a function to mark the occasion.

The track starts on the main road about 50m past the vehicle gate and runs up to the picture frame car park. It is for pedestrians only (no bikes) and is called Kanuka Track.

Shakespear Open Sanctuary Society chair Peter Jackson says the track is intended to make a safe route for pedestrians walking from the main vehicle gate area to the picture frame, as the main road has a corner with no verge or footpath.

He says volunteers have been working on it for most of the year, with a total of over 1000 hours of labour. This involved cutting the route, pulling out stumps, digging drainage, building walkways over the muddy bits and carting and packing down a gravel surface. “The wet winter was a major challenge as new waterways revealed themselves and turned parts of the track into ankle-deep mud,” he says. “But the outcome is a surprisingly pleasant scenic walk.”

It is intended that this new track will eventually be extended to connect with Waterfall Gully.