Close to 750 metres of new walking track has been built through the heavily wooded Lyford Reserve adjacent to Sunnynook Primary School, thanks to funding from Devonport-Takapuna Local Board.
“The newly completed tracks will assist local residents with improved connectivity across the surrounding neighbourhoods,” says Tabitha Becroft of the Sunnynook Community Association.
"It's fantastic news, for not only Sunnynook Primary School and its students, but for everyone living in the area.
"The tracks will now become part of the school’s cross-country circuit, provide an outdoor classroom for environmental programmes, and be used by a number of walking school buses.
"It's fantastic to see this completed for our community and in time for the beginning of the new school year."
The new bush tracks are made up of gravel, concrete, wooden boardwalks and bridge sections and can be accessed from Sunnynook Primary School, Mandica Place, Regency Place and Tobago Place.
Devonport Local Board Chair George Wood says the board was delighted to be able to support with the initiative.
“This project delivers for residents of all ages and I encourage them to get out and explore this beautiful underutilised gem of a reserve.”
“I'd also like to thank Tabitha Becroft and Peter McNee of the Sunnynook Community Association who bought the idea to our attention and worked with us to make this happen.
"Tabitha is a descendant of the Becroft family who originally owned much of the land that is now Sunnynook and Forrest Hill,” says Wood.
Check out Sunnynook Community Association Facebook page for information on upcoming working bees designed to improve the reserve through planting and pest eradication.
