Celebrating the opening of the new Mt Lees walking track with a Community Probation & Psychological Services plaque.
(Left to right) Senior Community Work Supervisor Barry Watson, Service Manager Garry Sparkes, Manawatu District
Mayor Ian McKelvie and Parks and Reserves Manager Albert James.
Thanks to Corrections, walkers at the popular Mt Lees Reserve near Feilding now have a new 3.5km track to enjoy.
Offenders serving community work sentences spent 18 months, or around 3,500 hours, creating the track and building the bridges required to cross the numerous small creeks in the area.
Manawatu District Mayor Ian McKelvie says he is delighted to have such an attractive and easily accessible new track so close to Feilding.
“Everyone benefits from projects like this one. In fact, such projects have benefits that far outweigh what you can actually see; the positive community interaction for many of the offenders is a huge advantage,” he says.
The walking track project was organised by Senior Community Work Supervisor Barry Watson.
“It’s an easy track to walk, but challenging terrain to build in, so the people involved can be proud of what they’ve achieved for their community,” says Barry.
Even though the track is now open to the public, Corrections’ involvement hasn’t ended there.
“There are a few bridges in low-lying areas that we need to complete in better weather, and we’ll be helping to maintain the track in the future,” says Barry.
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ISSN 1178-8453