Waikato River Trails Trust wins Outdoor Access Champion Award
The Waikato River Trails Trust received an Outdoor Access Champion Award last night. The award recognises the Trust's achievements in enhancing public access and offering new opportunities for New Zealanders to experience our great outdoors.
Walking Access Commission Chief Executive Board chairperson John Forbes presented the award at a ceremony in Pūtāruru.
The awards are an annual event organised by the New Zealand Walking Access Commission. Commission Chief Executive Ric Cullinane says they celebrate the people and community groups around the country who are developing trails and making it easier for people to experience the outdoors.
The Trust was formed in 2006 to develop a network of trails along the Waikato, with the aim of bringing visitors to the beautiful South Waikato.
Since then it has consistently supported regional development, the environment, the economy and the local river communities.
Over the last six years more than 420 volunteers have planted more than 100,000 native plants. The trail is 105 kilometres long and is now open to the public 365 days a year. It supports over 20 businesses that provide services to people who visit the trails.