Dean Seymour: Good start, but bill still has a few holes - 19 May 2008 - NZ Herald: New Zealand National news

Dean Seymour: Good start, but bill still has a few holes - 19 May 2008 - NZ Herald: New Zealand National news

Dean Seymours article raises many of the same issues with the proposed Walking Access Bill as the Bridleways Auckland's submission. You can view the Bridleways submissions and information at http://groups.google.com/group/bridlewayz, join up now to add your support to submissions on Horse Riding Issues!

Karekare races

An annual event at Karekare beach. Horse riding on the beach is normally allowed, but only before 10am and after 6pm.

Crown Pastoral Leases

For those interested in gaining access to some prime South Island land, you may want to look at the Crown Pastoral Leases information at LINZ. There is a tenure review process currently in process, some of these properties will end up as Crown Land (DOC), some will be refreshed with new leases, some will be some sort of land offset.

Recreational users should keep an eye on these, we may be able to get access for horse riding across some of these areas (or to places of significance) if we lobby at the right time.


Latest reviews

Equestrian Tourism

Equestrian Tourism

Anyone interested in the equestrian tourism scene, will be interested in the proceedings at the international equestrian tourism conference. I will find out if transcripts and presentations will be available after the event.

ARC Calls for Submissions on their Horse Riding Strategy

In the latest development of the ARC's Horse Riding Strategy an "Issues and Options" paper has been released for submissions.

You can find a copy posted on the Bridleways site:

http://groups.google.com/group/bridlewayz/web/Horse_Riding_Issues_Options_Paper.doc

Feedback is required by Tuesday May 20th (details are in the document).

News article - Public meeting on Muriwai beach vehicle issue

The ARC, in collaboration with RDC and NZ Police, is holding a public workshop geared towards improving management of vehicles at Muriwai Beach Sunday 30 March at Waimauku School.


The Muriwai community, public and agencies with an interest in the area are invited to a meeting on Sunday 30 March at Waimauku School, 2 Muriwai Road, Waimauku (corner of SH6 and Muriwai Road). The meeting will take place in the school hall with the doors opening at 1.30pm in time for the 2pm start.
read more ... News article - Public meeting on Muriwai beach vehicle issue

Beach death sparks vehicle rethink - Nor-west news on Stuff.co.nz

Beach death sparks vehicle rethink - Nor-west news on Stuff.co.nz: "Regional council Rodney representative Christine Rose says there hasn’t been enough done to control vehicles on beaches.
She says it is the council’s responsibility now to provide motorcyclists with alternatives to Muriwai and Woodhill Forest."

So apparently the way to get access to recreation resources is by being obnoxious and out of control. We have seen this with skaters, skateboarders and now it seems trail bikers. Perhaps, if we horse riders want a fair share of the recreation access we need to start riding through the city streets and leaving piles of manure in prominent places. So much for playing by the rules...

Visit to Southerns parks and beaches

I finally made the trek out South to visit a few of the major riding areas around Waiuku. First on my list was Karioitahi Beach, mainly because it is only 8km from Waiuku town centre.

It was very easy to find, simply drive down Karioitahi Rd and there it is. The drive was also very pretty with some beautiful views out over the low lying areas on the way. The beach itself is spectacular, as many of our West Coast beaches are. Franklin District Council has obviously spent some time trying to control this area. I noted that one of their stipulations is that riders should clean up all manure in a 1km zone - not sure how! Are riders expected to leap off their mounts and scoop poo into a garbage bag and then leap back on with the filled bag... I understand if they have an issue at the unloading area but really,... it's grass and this is one of the only spots that Franklin provides for horse riding.

On the positive side I did see a road sharing sign on the way out - it was the only one I saw in the entire trip but I guess its better than nothing.

I also think they could've joined in with the highly successful 'Don't burst their Bubble' campaign rather than stealing the London underground's saying :)


Anyway, on to Awhitu. I had so many good reports about this park that I was a little disappointed when I got there. Not with the park itself but the lack of support for horse riding. No signs, locked gates, having to phone the ranger beforehand ... oh, dear we still seem to be second-class citizens....

Since they do both camping and have cattle grazing at this park I don't see any reason why this couldn't be a park where horse riders can camp for a few days.

Finally, back to Waiuku Forest. This did take me a little while to find - I made a mistake navigating and there are few signs to tell you where the entrance is (there is one at a closed gate).

I was pleasantly surprised. I had heard a couple of different reports about the rutting in the road but I didn't think it was very bad at all. The variety in entrances and parking places more than made up for it IMHO.

New ARC Website look, Activities Finder

Search for activities

The ARC have just launched a new look for their website. It now includes an activities finder. You can now click on the horse riding link and it will list all the parks which allow horse riding. I am following up on a few as some still appear a bit misleading, but this looks like a great improvement on what has been available up till now. The park pages themselves are also greatly improved, with better descriptions, icons, maps and more information on a single page.

Update on CHCH Horse Riding Areas

In a previous post about CHCH riding, I mentioned the 'Cashmere Spur And Bowenvale Valley Reserves Management Plan, July 1991'. I finally received a response to my query about this area ...

"I have found out from the Greenspace Unit that the horse tracks through the Victoria Park/Bowenvale area were not developed and the feasibility of developing these now is remote due to the changed nature of recreation in that area. Some riders use the Huntsbury track from the end of huntsbury road to the summit road although its multi use so other traffic should be expected however the track is closed for lambing at the moment." - CCC Customer Services 2007

So CHCH people, get onto your local councillors and give them a hard time about this. If you don't constantly keep at these people they will let things drop. I would love to hear from any locals about the " changed nature of recreation in that area". Do they mean they finally ignored people for so long that riders gave up? ;)

Totara Park

Took a drive out to Totara Park, in Manukau to see what its like. Bigger than I initially thought, there seem to be 3 main entrances to this park. I have photographed the 2 used for horses. One is the public parking area, with entrance to the bridlepath and the other is Totara Park Equestrian Centre.

Totara Park

Pae O Te Rangi, Waitakere Ranges

Visited Pae O Te Rangi, at long last. Wasn't actually as far out into the wilderness as I thought. Interestingly, the ARC call centre don't know where it is ...

Anyway, have started adding all the information to the new website (click on the heading link) and have created a new photo album for it. This would make a really nice farm ride (day outing) if only the ARC didn't have such a ridiculous policy about using it - you have a have a key to get in the gate and they expect you to pay a $250 bond for that! Even the able-bodied are not particularly welcome at this park! Anyone with even a slight disability would have trouble slipping through the gap to get in.

Pae O Te Rangi

Improvements to WFEP

New tie-rails have been added all around the parking area to allow for more vehicles (so we don't have to park so far apart with horses tied in-between).

The washdown area has been improved with a truckload of sand dumped over the base metal. There's some new tie-rails there too.

New Website underway - Bridleways Auckland

I've now started working on a website to hold information on Riding in Auckland Region. I hope that editors from around the country will be come forward to help put together similar pages for other regions.

http://bridleways.googlepages.com/home

Sanders Reserve

Thought I'd post a map of Sanders Reserve, this is the new equestrian park (to be) that will be built by the North Shore City Council. It'll be shared mountain biking, horse riding and dog walking but hopefully they will manage the margins of these areas well to avoid conflicts.

You can get more information from the plan on the NSCC website http://www.northshorecity.govt.nz/pdfs/parks/sanders-reserve/sanders-reserve-draft-development-plan.pdf


View Larger Map

New Website

OK I've decided, I'm going to work on converting the information that I gather into a searchable website (I won't go so far as to say database yet) of riding information. I will keep the blog as a way to add latest news items and look forward to receiving lots of information from riders out there.

Rodney Bridleways Strategy Adopted

I recently attended the Rodney Council meeting to present a verbal submission in favour of their bridleways strategy. The councillors were both well informed on and encouraging towards bridleways in the region. They seemed as frustrated by the slow progress of this policy through the Council as all of us who had made submissions. The Bridleways Strategy has now been passed by Council with some amendments from the submissions received.

"... Conclusion
Following public consultation on the Draft Bridleways Strategy, there were varied levels of objection and support to the draft Strategy. A number of issues were raised by the submissions which can be readily addressed.

Some of the issues that have resulted in the draft Strategy being amended include the inclusion of a reference to horse stiles as a mechanism to limit access to motorised vehicles; access to public berms which are fenced off; increasing the scope of the Code of Conduct; and amending the proposed routes in Dairy Flat, Matakana and Waimauku.

A key issue that has emerged has been the request for adding 18 new proposed routes to the draft Strategy. It is recommended that the Committee proceed with the adoption of the Bridleways Strategy, whilst the requested routes are examined in detail and are then, where appropriate, accordingly integrated into the adopted Bridleways Strategy." - Rodney Council Meeting Minutes

Meeting Agenda and Minutes

http://www.rodney.govt.nz/council/2007minutes/August/SPA0208.pdf
http://www.rodney.govt.nz/council/2007minutes/August/SPM0208.pdf

Regional parks - Parks & Waterways - Christchurch City Council

Regional parks - Parks & Waterways - Christchurch City Council

Brooklands Lagoon, explore the sand dune coast on horseback tracks which link up with Bottle Lake Forest Park.

All these areas seem to join up
Spencer Park
Area: 81 hectares.
Location: 14 km northeast of Christchurch. Main access is off the Lower Styx Road and Heyders Road. Well sign posted.


Information on the Christchurch - Spencer Park, Brooklands and Seafield Parks areas



Seafield Park
Location: Seafield ParkLower Styx Rd
Area of Park: 78 hectares
Perimeter of Park: 10 kilometres

Bottle Lake Forest Park



Bottle Lake Forest Park is situated approximately 10 km north east of central Christchurch, adjacent to the coast. Bottle Lake Forest is a production forest and trees are felled and logged in a 30 year rotation by the Selwyn Plantation Board.

Recreational facilities include mountain-bike tracks, horse-trekking trails and walking tracks.

The main entrance and car park for Bottle Lake Forest is from Waitikiri Drive, off Burwood Road, via either Marshlands or Burwood. There is also access from Spencer Park, and from North Shore along the Southern Pegasus Bay Track.

I also found the following in amongst the council publications -

Cashmere Spur And Bowenvale Valley Reserves Management Plan, July 1991

1.6 A new ridge line pony trail shall be developed from the central plateau to, the Summit Road then run parallel to the Summit road to meet up with the Huntsbury track.
Comment: Cross country pony riding is a traditional recreational use of the hill areas and especially Victoria Park. An off road track through Victoria, Thomson and Bowenvale Parks would provide a safe long distance ride for the many young people who participate in this recreational activity.
1.7 The feasibility of using existing tracks for pony/horse trails in Victoria and Elizabeth Parks shall be investigated.

I've written to the CHCH council to ask what happenned to these trails from the management plan and will update the site as soon as we have some information.

Parks and Walkways - Palmerston North City Council

Palmerston North Riding Information from the PNCC website

Parks and Walkways - Palmerston North City Council

In the PN 'Kiwi walks' network horses are allowed along Riverside, Terrace and Otira walkways. These are short walkways with shared usage.

Documents from the Palmerston North Council Website:

Within the 2002 Outdoor Recreation Strategy document, horse riding is both acknowledged and planned for within PNCC's region. The following section of the document describes the Palmerston North tracks, as at 2002. I am actually very impressed that Palmerston North have 43.2 kms of walkways and they can probably put other larger councils to shame.

"Tracks

* Tracks are the key recreational facilities for outdoor recreation. They cater for informal use, whether people are on foot, bike or horse, as well as formal use for club runs, rides, or races.

*There is currently 43.2 kilometres of walkway in Palmerston North (October 2002) catering for various skill and fitness levels. This figure does not include the Back Track or Sledge Track.

*Tracks are defined as any access way off-road which does not have a hard (concrete or asphalt) surface, with an element of a leisure experience in its use (rather than a straight path between two streets). It must be delineated in some way (such as vegetation clearance or markers across a paddock).

* The focus on tracks in this document is a reflection on their importance and high use for outdoor recreation purposes." - 2002 Outdoor Recreation Strategy

The " GREENING STRATEGY - ENHANCING PALMERSTON NORTH’S BIODIVERSITY
OCTOBER 2006" document describes Palmerston Norths commitment to incorporating walkways and bridleways into their city planning and infrastructure.

Other Outdoor Recreation Groups

Given our size there are a surprising number of outdoor recreation action groups. We often joke, here in New Zealand, that we are so small that everyone knows everyone else. Obviously this is not the case or we would perhaps not have so many little groups fighting the same battles separately.

Anyway, here are some links

• COUNCIL OF OUTDOOR RECREATION ASSOCIATIONS OF NEW ZEALAND (CORANZ) - despite the fancy name this is a group of huntin' and fishin' guys only
• Outdoor Recreation New Zealand and their blogsite
• Akatarawa Recreational Access Committee (ARAC)
• Tread Lightly New Zealand
• Public Access New Zealand Inc - I don't believe these guys are still active, the website is there but doesn't appear to have been updated for years.
• *** Update*** Just Found Recreation Access New Zealand website - Bruce Mason who founded and performed most of the work for PANZ has left PANZ (which is why it looks inactive) and started a new recreational action group. *** Update***

For those in the Wellington area, ARAC looks to be a substantial and active group which would be worthwhile joining. ARAC's mission statement says that they are interested in public recreation for all activities and they have become the first volunteer group to become managers (and permit suppliers) for a DOC reserve.

Tread Lightly appears to be a formalisation of what many of us would call commonsense and good manners, however with those things decreasing dramatically it seems a very good idea for groups to adopt this as an ethos. I'm sure it will also help many advocacy groups if they can show authorities that they are not just out to rip up the environment, which seems to be what many think recreational users aim to do.

Council Reserves added

Horse Riding Reserves

I've added a new album of photos and maps for council reserves which are available for public horse riding. Most have a pony club on the grounds and will be closed for riding over the winter months, but these resources are open to anyone to ride on. Perhaps more importantly council reserves are ideal starting places for bridleways.

Today I've visited Glasgow Park in Waimauku and Sinclair Park in Kaukapakapa and will add others as I have time to visit them.

Don't forget that Photo Albums include descriptions and you can add comments to photos if you have visited or ridden at the area and need to let others know important information - or even just add comments about facilities, permits etc

Riverhead - Current Horse Gates as at 2 July 2007

Active horse gates (with new keys) as at July 2 2007 are:

• Escott Road
• Robinson Road
• Deacon East & Boundary Road (Mill Flat Rd entrances)
• Longbush Rd (Forestry Rd, Riverhead entrance)
• Strip Rd & Barlow Rd (Ararimu Valley Rd entrances)

Riverhead Forest

More praise for Rayonier

I hope this isn't becoming boring but I just can't stop being impressed by Rayonier and the way that they are interacting with horse riders. I've just received my new key for Riverhead and quite a bit of documentation came along with it. Much to my delight this wasn't the usual wad of warnings and pre-emptive scoldings that accompany permits from other providers.

No, instead you get

• a welcoming letter that immediately sets out Rayonier's belief that recreational users are partners in their forest use and husbandry. There was a page setting out the conditions of the permit and possible hazards in the forest. All written in a very straightforward way, lots of 'please do...' instead of lists of 'you must not...' and simple explainations of what to do about hazards. I'm actually studying technical writing at the moment and this stuff is spot on when it comes to writing effectively - and importantly getting people to do what you are asking.
• A pamphlet provided more information on things you may and may not do - again refreshingly written without the usual accusations or inferences that you are all going to run amok if given a chance.
• A great map, which as well as showin all the horse gates shows lots of other interesting info like how old the trees are in various areas.

Great stuff again Rayonier!

PlayDay - Home

This is the website set up as a new way to find out about sports and recreational activities in the Auckland Region. It is part of the ARPASS strategy, ARPASS is the Auckland Regional Physical Activity & Sport Strategy, a combined effort by SPARC, local and regional authorities to address recreation in the region.

On the play day site you can register facilities and events, search for things happenning in your area or look for places that you can use for your favourite recreational activity. You can also sign up for email notifications of new events.

Looks like a great resource, hope it takes off.

Hunua Regional Park

I went for a visit to Hunua today to check out the horse riding trail and facilities provided by the ARC in this regional park. I took the Takanini motorway offramp and drove through Papakura to the Settlement Rd turnoff towards Hunua. I'm sure there are probably lots of variations to get there. The drive along Hunua Rd is quite long, but pleasant as you wind up through the bush and farmland.

Follow the rest of the instructions from the previous post about Hunua. I managed (just) to make it despite having left these at home but I wouldn't have like to have been towing a float and trying to find my way around at the same time. The instructions provided by the ARC are very good.

Don't forget to ring the ranger beforehand to check the combination to the watercare gate! or you won't be riding anywhere...

Once there I had a quick look around at the loading area and the start of the horse riding trail. The loading area is just a bare metal turning circle. There are no tie-ups , fencing, water troughs or any other facilities. The nearest toilets are at the campgrounds - so stop by on the way there or back, unless you don't mind having a quick pee in the bushes. ;)

The horse trail points you off down Manning Rd, apparently you shouldn't ride straight up the hill as this is used by watercare vehicles (perhaps they don't realise that most horses are well able to cope with vehicles, but we'll ignore that for the moment). There is no discernible difference in the routes - Manning road is also a gravel road and appeared to be for as far as I followed the route. There were trail markers for bikes but I didn't see any for horses. There were also some more interesting (to me at least) trails off to the right of the main track.

Photo album of this area, the unloading area etc plus maps ...

Picasa Web Albums New Map Feature

Picasa have now added a great new map tagging feature. So all the photo albums I have been building of local riding trails have now been tagged with the actual locations of the photo. This is such a cool feature you just have to take a look... Choose any of the photo albums I have compiled and you can then take a look at a map to go with them and each photo will also have its location so you really can take a virtual tour of places. Don't forget that with google maps you can swap from a straight map to a satellite photo or combo (hybrid) of the two.

Picasa Web Albums - Hare Hill Treks

Found these nice albums in the Picasa community albums - Hare Hill Horse Treks from Dunedin. Some great beach riding shots.

Paper Roads

I've been doing a little digging recently to try to find out what a paper road really is and what rights we riders might have on them. Although most information is about walking access, horse riding is one of many permitted activities on any paper road.

What is the difference between a legal road and a paper road?

None! Whether it’s physically formed or just a line on a map it is still classified a public road. Where an Act of Parliament, statute or regulation, refers to a "road", it makes no difference whether it is formed or not.

A "paper" road is simply a legal road that has not been formed, or is only partly formed. It may be a walking track or just two wheel ruts in the ground – but it is still legal and members of the public have every right to walk or drive on it. Legally it is public land.

People have the right to use a paper road for walking, biking or any legitimate activity. It is the adjoining landowner’s responsibility to define the boundaries of their land, fence it, or otherwise signpost it to keep people off their property. If the landowner has already defined the boundaries and people continue to cross onto the property, the owner has recourse to the Trespass Act.

NOTE: Territorial authorities such as the Council are exempt from the provisions of the Fencing Act 1978 (i.e. the requirement to meet half the cost of fencing boundaries) where private land adjoins a public road.

I came across this interesting little site. Paper Road Society
and there is a good article currently on lifestyle block http://www.lifestyleblock.co.nz/articles/good_oil/06_paper_roads.htm

More great news from Rayonier

Yet more positive information from Rayonier on horse riding access to Riverhead Forest. I have to say that the approach they are taking is a breath of fresh air after dealing with CHH in recent years. I have copied the latest email in full for you:

To all interested horse riders:

Thanks for your time taken in responding to my request for contact details. I have been surprised by the number of responses - and they're still arriving!
My intention in doing this was to register the 20 or so riders I thought would respond and recycle the funds received back into gate repairs/improving security, road and track maintenance. The circulation of information relating to public use events and the location of operational activities would be extended to include the e-mail contacts received. It would be safer to ride, there would be an improvement (less gorse), everyone would be happy.

However, with the level of response and in particular the number of comments relating to encounters with motorbikes, hoons, lack of loop tracks and lack of dirt tracks things are a bit more complicated. I don't want to ask for fees and then not be able to supply the conditions that are expected.

This is what I think can be done (relatively short term):
1. Increase the standard of forest security by securing all access points. This would, hopefully, reduce the unauthorised motorbike (2 and 4 wheeled) access.
2. Mow and spray all roads and tracks accessible by tractor.
3. Notify everyone of activities (public use events and operations) so there are no incidents between authorised forest users.
4. Control/restrict permitted motorcycle events so a large part of the forest remains open for horse riding (motorcycle events are quite frequent).
5. Have some formal forest security patrols
There is also scope to make gates easier to open, increase acces to water, provide blocks for mounting.....

What I have concerns about is:

• Whether or not loop tracks can be made. There doesn't appear to be many at the moment and I suspect the need for stream crossings may prevent some tracks being linked.
• The location of upcoming logging activity - it will prevent access to some gates during work hours at least - eg: Escott Road.
  

So, here's what I am going to do. I will continue with a registration system. However, It won't be policed (there won't be a 'tag') and it will even take a while to ensure all access points are secure - i.e. you can still get in and out around (or even through) the majority of horse gates without a key and can continue to do so if you wish. Registration is therefore virtually voluntary in the short term.
I will issue a key and permit to those who request one and pay as follows with the money received (and most probably a lot more) being spent as above:

$50.00 for an individual, $75.00 for a couple, and $100.00 for a family.

Cheques should be made to "Matariki Forests" and be sent along with your (clear) details to me at Rayonier N.Z. Ltd Maruata Road R.D. 3 Whangarei.

Thanks,

Sam Middlemass
District Forester
Rayonier Asia Pacific

Rodney Draft Bridleway Strategy

It's only taken 8 years from the original round of consultation in 1999 but Rodney have finally released a draft bridleway strategy. It is quite limited - basically a single bridleway around each of the pony clubs in Rodney and places the responsibility for any maintenance on riders but I guess it's better than nothing. However, even this puny effort is only on the Council plans for 8-10 years!! away - Go Rodney!

From the Rodney Council Website

Public Consultation - Draft Bridleway Strategy

Horse riding is a popular growing activity in some areas of Rodney District. A Bridleway Strategy will help address the community’s desire for recreational horse riding in high patronage areas. A draft Bridleway Strategy has therefore been prepared to provide direction and help coordinate the establishment of bridleways throughout Rodney District.
The draft strategy has been approved for public consultation commencing Friday, 15 June 2007.

Copies of the draft strategy are available to view at 50 Centreway Road, the Warkworth Service Centre, the Huapai Service Centre, Helensville Service Centre, and is posted on the Rodney District Council website. Copies of the draft strategy are also available on request.
You are invited to comment on the strategy by making a submission to the Rodney District Council. Submission forms can be downloaded from the Council website or obtained from any of the above places.

Please send your comments by 16 July 2007 to:
Diana Solomon Rodney District Council Private Bag 500 Orewa.