Morrinsville is just days away from having another walkway to stretch their legs away from the roads.

The new river walk extension, between River View Road and Studholme Street will be open to the public from Monday 13 June, 12pm, after a small opening ceremony.

The section of walkway that runs through Greenlea Premier Meats, alongside farmland and past Piako Park Lane has been almost 10 years in the making and Council would like to thank Greenlea and the property owners along the track for their help in getting the project to this point.

Deputy Mayor and long-time Morrinsville Councillor Neil Goodger, said the project was in its fruition stages when he joined Council in 2010 and he’s thrilled to finally open up another beautiful part of Morrinsville to the public.

“I see people do the loop on the streets as they go around the block and all they have to look at is cars. Now they’ll have the option of crossing the stream, hearing native birds instead of road noise and enjoying nature,” said Neil. “It’s so good for Morrinsville, so many people have worked really hard to create this pathway and we’re really pleased with how it’s turned out”. 

Mayor Ash Tanner is looking forward to its opening and said the walk is a great addition for those who live, work or visit Morrinsville. “We’ve been looking forward to this moment for a few years now and it looks really good, our staff and contractors have done a great job and we’re thankful to the property owners who generously granted access through their properties during the construction phase of the walkway,” he said. “It’s been an incredible help and showed great community spirit.”

The pathway is an extension to the existing Holmwood Park to River View Road track, with walkers able to cross Studholme Street and join the river walk track along the Waitakaruru Stream that is part of the Morrinsville Recreation Ground. The new section has a suspension bridge crossing the stream (about 1km from the Studholme St entrance) and there are plans for seating to be added over the next few months.  This new walkway can only be accessed from Studholme Street, River View Road and Holmwood Park.

“By linking Holmwood Park to the Rec Ground, it makes it a decent, interesting walk and if you’re lucky, you might catch one of the two trains that travel by on the Waitoa line each day,” said Mayor Ash. “I want to acknowledge not only the generosity of the property owners along the track but all of the staff who have worked tirelessly over the years to make this dream a reality,” he said. “It’s a decent walk and a great asset, I think locals and visitors will really enjoy it.”

Further info:

Open to walkers and dogs on lead. There is no public access via Piako Park Lane.

Morrinsville Rec Ground entrance (Avenue Road South) to Studholme Street: 1.3 km, 20 minutes

Morrinsville Rec Ground entrance (Avenue Road South) to River View Road: 2.8 km, 1 hour

Morrinsville Rec Ground entrance (Avenue Road South) to Holmwood Park: 3.3 km, 1 hour 10 minutes

Studholme Street to River View Road: 2.5 km, 40 minutes

Studholme Street to Holmwood Park: 3.0 km, 50 minutes

River View Road to Holmwood Park: 1.0 km, 15 minutes