Whakatāne District Council awarded ViaStrada Best Practice Walking Facility award

10th August 2010

Winners of the 2010 Golden Foot awards were announced at an awards ceremony in Wellington on 1 August 2010. Whakatāne District Council was awarded the ViaStrada Best Practice Walking Facility award for its Warren Cole Walk and Cycleway. ViaStrada is proud to be the sponsor of this award (since 2009), recognising the creation of best practice walking facilities in New Zealand. Other Golden Foot award winners are identified on the Living Streets Aotearoa website.

The Whakatane facility is a 2.1 km long and 2.5 - 3 m wide all weather accessway along the Whakatane River stop bank, from the Whakatāne River Bridge to the Whakatāne Gardens and Amphitheatre. It is the result of the adoption by Whakatāne District Council of its walking and cycling strategy in 2007. The project team comprised staff members from the Whakatāne District Council and Opus International Consultants.

The project is an outstanding success that has exceeded the expectations of Whakatāne residents and visitors to the district. The inclusion of recreational design elements which draw inspiration from the Whakatāne River and local culture has made the facility a distinctive local recreational asset, appealing to a wide range of people and activities. The project incorporates several design philosophies and themes which include:

  • improved connectivity, continuity and usabilty of ths section of the Whakatāne River Greenway Plan.
  • meeting the requirements of NZTA standards for walking and cycling facilities (minimum of 2.5 m wide)
  • providing safe connectivity and upgraded accessways
  • providing a facilty designed in accordance with Crime Prevention through Environmental Design (CPTED) principles
  • incorporating focal nodes by using a selection of materials, features and furniture that complement exisiting construction details and enhance the river setting
  • installing street lighting which meets NZTA requirements but has a minimal effect on adjoining residents

The facility is part of the council's overall Whakatāne River Greenways Project which stretches for 5 km from the Whakatāne River mouth to the State Highway 2 Whakatāne River Bridge. It was officially opened in December 2009 by Mr Warren Cole, Olympic Gold Medallist and Mayor Colin Holmes.