Almost 'a Clyde to Lawrence trail'
Otago Daily Times
By Sarah Marquet, on Friday 24 January 2014
The Millenium track, between Clyde and Alexandra, the
Roxburgh Gorge Trail and the Clutha Gold Trail are being seen
by many cyclists as a package deal, Clutha trail trust chairman
Rod Peirce says.
''There seems to be a lot of people doing both trails and ...
there seems to be an association with the Clyde river trail
[Millenium Track], the Roxburgh Gorge and Clutha Gold trails
- it's almost like a Clyde to Lawrence trail.''
The Roxburgh Gorge trail, between Alexandra and the Roxburgh
dam, and the Clutha Gold trail, between the dam and Lawrence,
were officially opened on October 24 last year and were
experiencing ''heavy usage'', Mr Peirce said.
The number of cyclists around Roxburgh and Millers Flat
especially was ''phenomenal'' and anecdotal evidence
suggested they were enjoying the trails.
Not everyone was opting for the boat trip across the middle
section of the Roxburgh Gorge Trail - many were choosing to
do the trails in segments, he said.
The 12km boat trip crosses the middle section where the trail
has not yet been constructed because of various issues with
three properties.
That could be about to change for one property though,
Roxburgh Gorge Trail trust member Barrie Wills said.
The tenure review process of Obelisk Station was almost
complete.
''Chances are that maybe we can get on with continuing the
track later this year, but we'll have to look into
fundraising.'Dr Wills said he had been on the gorge trail
about once a week, tidying things up where needed.
That was usually midweek and he would see ''in excess of 30
to 40 people using it, so there would be a lot more in the
weekends.
''I see people walking their kids in prams, a lot of bikers
and a lot of walkers too.
''I've stopped and talked to a lot of people and they're just
blown away.''
With no counters on the trails, exact numbers of users were
unknown but the trusts were considering options to record
usage, both men said.
They are looking to install cameras to not only capture how
many people are using the trails but also age groups and
other information about usage.
When asked how many $25 maintenance contribution tags had
been sold, Central Otago District Council visitor centres
manager Pam Broadhead said she was no longer able to supply
that information as it was commercially sensitive, but the
trusts would release that information after a meeting later
this month.
Mr Peirce estimated between 500 and 600 had been sold and he
would have a clearer idea after a meeting on Monday
afternoon.
Friday, January 24, 2014
Almost 'A Clyde To Lawrence Trail'
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