A new bridge is guided into place at the Cardrona River
mouth yesterday at the starting point for the planned
Clutha River trail. Photo by Matthew Haggart.
The expanding network of trails and cycleways across the
Upper Clutha is providing a valuable infrastructural asset for
both tourism and local communities, Wanaka woman Meg Taylor
says.
She made the comment on the day a bridge was laid across the
mouth of the Cardrona River.
The bridge will be named after her late husband John Pawson,
founding chairman of the Upper Clutha Tracks Trust (UCTT).
Mr Pawson died in a climbing accident on Mt Aspiring last
November, but the ongoing work of the UCTT is blazing a trail
as part of his legacy.
Ms Taylor thanked the parties involved with the construction
of the new bridge, a $50,000 joint project by the UCTT, the
Department of Conservation, and Hawea Flat building outfit
CBG Quality Construction.
Although she had not decided on naming the memorial bridge,
she was "leaning" towards a title of "Pawsons Crossing".
The new bridge is located at the foot of the Halliday Bluff,
near Riverrun, a tourism lodge established by the couple, at
the start of a planned 7km trail connecting Albert Town and
Luggate.
Walking on trails and tracks was the most common activity
undertaken by people staying at Riverrun, and also tourists
to Wanaka, Ms Taylor said.
"Whether it's a riverside stroll, a lakeside amble, or a walk
to a glacier, it's something nearly everyone does when they
come here."
The quick succession of new trails being opened around the
district was phenomenal, she said.
"I'm chuffed with it and I know John would be, too," Ms
Taylor said.
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