Otaki TodayThe Friends of the Ōtaki River is inviting the community to celebrate 25 years of partnership work with Greater Wellington Regional Council at an open day on Saturday, March 21.
Friends chair Max Lutz says the event, running from 10am to 2pm, marks a quarter century of collaboration restoring and enhancing the Ōtaki River environment.
“We formed 25 years ago and celebrated that last year,” Max says. “This open day is really about celebrating 25 years of working in partnership with Greater Wellington. It’s about showing people what’s been achieved.”
The beautiful Chrystalls Bend. Photo Ōtaki Today
The day will centre on the idyllic Chrystalls Bend, with several ways for people to take part. Families can meet at the Friends’ nursery on Riverbank Road near the road bridge, and walk upriver to Chrystalls Bend, or start from the estuary where volunteers will be stationed along the route to talk about restoration work. There’s also access through the Ōtaki racecourse.
“People can park within the racecourse grounds and walk through to the Ōtaki Lakes, then on to Chrystalls Bend and back,” Max says. “It gives people a rare chance to see the lakes.”
The lakes, developed through gravel extraction by Winstone and owned by Greater Wellington, are gradually being turned over to community use. Max says many locals had never seen the lakes because access is limited during normal operations at Winstones.
The lakes are already often for model yachting, canoe polo and waka ama, and in-the-know walkers enjoy the area. At Chrystalls Bend there are picnic tables and park benches, toilets nearby and even a defibrillator.
People with disabilities will be able to drive as far as Chrystalls Bend, and anyone who finds the walk too much can get a ride back courtesy of the regional council.
“There’ll be handouts, but more importantly there will be people along the way you can stop and talk to,” Max says. “It’s an opportunity for those who haven’t been there before to see 25 years of work – planting, tracks, protection and partnership in action.”
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