Scarf explains riverside ideas

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 12, Issue 568, 28 December 1994, Page 4

Scarf explains riverside ideas

• To Ohakune residents: . Just to get the facts right, when I first came to Ohakune 17 years ago to work on the installation of the ski lifts, I could not help feeling as I drove up the mountain road everyday, that the railway bridge area was (and still is) an eyesore. Over the years I have planted trees, shrubs and creepers in the area, but unfortunately they have been either sprayed or pulled out. Apart from the occasional mowing, the whole area has hardly changed, with lupin and blackberry growing beside the river.

The first time Jeff Page (the town planner) came to Ohakune I met with him to discuss what could be done and, at the time, he agreed that it needed attention as, being the gateway to Ruapehu, it left a lot to be desired. The car park (see Bulletin 29 November 1994) is only a small part of what we would like to do and our ideas have been given to a leading landscape architect so that we may come up with a total plan for everyone to approve. We see the car park serv-

icing a picnic area, with log tables and barbecue and a footpath beside the river up to the ranger station with a native garden between the car park and the road. The railway bridge could be much improved by either being covered with stone, wood or creepers. Another idea would be revamp the bridge on Old Station Road into the old style coach bridge. We are totally against cutting down or threatening trees , our aim is to enhance the area for evervone to enjoy.

Our option is to pay $11,000 to the council for 20 car parks, or totally improve the area which would cost us in excess of $ 1 00,000, knowing that cars already park there regardless (in fact there are two cross-overs allowing easy access across the kerb to the grass (mud) area??

Paul

Scarf

PS If we were in it for a quick buck as implied in last week's Bulletin (Letters, Page 4, 20 December) perhaps we would now be retired and also living in Australia! PPS Thank you to all the positive well wishers!