New swing bridge for Arapuke Forest Park

The number of users of Arapuke Forest Park near Palmerston North is expected to rise significantly with the construction of another bridge across Kahuterawa Stream.

The 22-metre swing bridge will be officially opened by Palmerston North City Councillor Brent Barrett on Saturday 8th April.

It allows walkers to tramp Sledge Track, cross the new bridge, and then return via Arapuke Forest Checkpoint Charlie Track and Pupurahi, or via the longer 7 kilometres route of Arapuke Road and Back Track.

Palmerston North City Council Leisure Assets Officer Brian Way "people love loops rather than walking in and out the same way.

"Once the Tawa Loop was built, the number of walkers in the Manawatu Gorge exploded."

The need for the swing bridge was identified in the Council’s Kahuterawa Outdoor Recreation Plan; tree harvesting, track building and the extension of the carpark were first required.

The new bridge is about 2.5 kilometres from Kahuterawa Road carpark and walkers should allow up to 90 minutes to arrive. The bridge links the top end of Sledge Track to the back corner of Arapuke Forest Park.

Materials and equipment for the construction of the bridge were helicopted in and inmates from Manawatu Prison built the approaches to the bridge on the Arapuke Forest Park side.

Way added "April is a great time to check out the new bridge with the Easter and Anzac holidays and before winter is upon us.

"Parts of the loop track provide great views down the valley to the city. A good level of fitness is required as some sections are steep."

An extensive Council-run trapping and poisoning programme within the park and neighbouring properties has reduced the number of possums, mustelids and rats. Bird life includes tui, karearea, ruru, korimako, kereru and grey warbler.

Public toilets are at Kahuterawa Road carpark.

Image: Arapuke Forest Park. Courtesy of Palmerston North City Council.

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