Beach Haven resident Minnie Leonard, 37, says recent improvements to local tracks and paths have made a real difference to her young family's daily life.
"Living opposite Shepherd’s Park, we’d always appreciated having such a big green space across the road. But a toddler-led wander took us past the soccer fields to the Beach Haven Coastal Walkway, which makes you feel much further from the city than we really are,” she explains.
"The track winds through native bush down to the water, where we’ve met fishers hoping for a catch, kids collecting shells and spotting crabs under the rocks, and countless dogs and their owners pausing for a quick splash, and a pat from us, before they continue on their walk."
Kaipātiki Local Board has invested in upgrades across several local tracks and paths, including Tuff Crater (Te Ara o Matakamokamo), Kauri Glen Reserve and Birkenhead War Memorial Park, to make them safer, more accessible and easier for people of all ages to enjoy. They help support our growing communities by providing facilities and amenities that make the area a better place to live, work and play.
Minnie says it is not just Shepherd’s Park keeping her and her two sons busy. "We’ve also walked the nearby Eskdale Reserve route and love the improvements there. I can even take the buggy on some sections now. While I was home on maternity leave, having so many walks close by made it easy to get the kids out of the house and enjoy some much-needed fresh air."
These everyday outings have become an important way for the family to connect with nature. "We love meeting people on the walk, spotting and naming the native birds, and even running away from imaginary dinosaurs in the bush. My hope is that these little adventures spark a connection to nature that my children will carry with them for years to come."
The track upgrades are part of the Kaipātiki Connections Network Plan, updated in September 2025. The plan, an update from 2016, considers challenges such as kauri dieback, storm damage, and the need to provide a variety of track experiences from wide, flat paths to rugged bush tracks.
For Minnie and her sons, these upgraded paths mean safer, more accessible outdoor options. The improvements support regular family walks, play, and exploration, giving her young family more connection to green spaces near home.
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