Waiuku's Barry Gibbon has won an Outdoor Access Champion Award for his work on the Waiuku Trails Project.
The prestigious award is made by the New Zealand Walking Access Commission - Ara Hīkoi Aotearoa.
The awards are made each year to recognise people who have made significant and lasting contributions to public access to the outdoors.
Nominated by the Franklin Local Board, member Andy Baker says Mr Gibbon’s work on the Waiuku Trail has been outstanding.
"He is such a committed guy and he just seems to have this incredible drive and passion to get things done.
"There is no doubt that his contribution to the trail plan has been a major factor in getting us all to where we are now."
Work on the trails officially got underway at the end of March when after Mr Gibbon joined board chair Angela Fulljames to turn the first soil on the project.
The board has committed $300,000 to the trails project
Work will start at the Tamakae Reserve, and the development will also ensure the Awaroa portage is protected because of its significance to mana whenua, who also serve on the walkways committee.
Mr Gibbon, a keen tramper, chaired the board’s trails committee, working closely with local iwi, residents, businesses, contractors and council staff.
The walking and cycling trails will provide residents and visitors with the opportunity to walk safely in and around the township, experiencing the history and culture on offer, with the trails linking the foreshore area, open space, esplanade reserves, parks and residential streets with key destinations and the heart of the town.
