The site was "just bog" when work began on it in 2009 but it has since become something the town can be proud of, Duntroon and District Development Association chairman Owen King said last week.
"It gives you a huge sense of pride, we’re all passionate about it."
The community environmental project has grown each year with plantings by residents and the Duntroon School as well and about $100,000 has been spent so far.
Mr King said getting the younger generations involved helped instil the same pride the association has for the wetlands.
They were allocated funding by the Lower Waitaki South Coastal Canterbury Water Zone Committee earlier this year to support the maintenance of the walkway.
This will ensure it will remain accessible to foot traffic and wheelchairs as well as cyclists on the Alps 2 Ocean Cycleway which goes through the wetland.
The association have also secured a grant from Meridian Energy for some mowing and spraying, due to be completed in early autumn, Mr King said.
He estimated about $100,000 had gone in to the wetlands through donations, grants and funds.
The wetlands adjoins a dairy farm owned by Geoff and Jan Keeling.
Mr King said they had generously granted an easement of the wetlands area and made a covenant to protect the space for the community.
The Keelings had contributed "a heck of a lot" to the success of the wetlands so far, he said.
"If it wasn’t for them, we’d have a shrunken wetland. They’ve got three-quarters of it.
"Geoff fronts up with farm equipment and trailer loads of mulch every time we need it and, of course, Jan ... she’s spearheading the trapping and tracking programme for the pest controls."
