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| July 2001 |
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Forest trails win praise
Steven Braunsthal of Alderley, Queensland, who has been an avid mountain biker for 13 years, recently had a biking holiday in Christchurch. He wrote to the City Council praising "the fabulous job" being carried out on the Port Hills and at the Bottle Lake Forest. "Bottle Lake Forest is the best example of trail management I have ever seen," Mr Braunsthal wrote. He was impressed with the provision of separate trails for hikers, mountain bikers and horses. "The trails (for mountain bikes) were excellent to ride and their design showed a real understanding of mountain bikes." He also enjoyed the Bowenvale bike track and added: "I was so impressed by Christchurch’s approach to mountain biking I have even considered moving there. Your sensible and fair-minded policies .... should serve as the model for other land managers around the world." Matt Goodrick, a lecturer in recreation and sport management at Lincoln University, has also praised the service at Bottle Lake Forest. Forest ranger Warren Hunt says an information centre with displays, brochures, the forest history, and facilities available will be ready next month. It will be available for hire, too. Another development at the forest is the creation of a walking track from the forest to Travis Heritage Wetland through the new Tumara subdivision in Burwood. Also staff are extending the mountain-bike track from the forest to the beach between Waimairi and Spencer Park. Investigations are being made into providing a walking track to the beach that will be separate from the mountain bike track. Warren Hunt says the praise is nice to receive but he says the results are all down to teamwork. |
