Attendances up for Parks Summer Programme

Waimarino Bulletin, Volume 1, Issue 30, 17 January 1984, Page 1

Attendances up for Parks Summer Programme

The number of people who have participated in the Summer Nature Programme this season are considerably up on the numbers that participated last season according to National Park rangers. Lyall Irwin, senior ranger at Ohakune, said that he was pleased with the very good response to the programme at Ohakune. Up to 55 people had participated in some of the walks from Ohakune. Crater Lake walks were the most popular, "Everyone wants to get to the top" said Mr Irwin, but other, off-the-beaten-track walks such as those to Sigley Falls and Mangaturuturu Falls had also proved very popular. Interim figures up to January 11 at Ohakune indicated that attendance at

evening talks was up about 9% while attendance on the walks was up some 44%. Better weather had played a part in the greater turnouts thought Mr Irwin. This sentiment was echoed by assistant chief ranger, Murray Reedy at Whakapapa. There, Crater Lake walks were attracting up to 1 50 participants but although Mr Reedy felt that there weren't more people at Whakapapa, the better weather enabled those that were there to participate in many more activities during their stay thus boosting attendance figures. Mr Irwin also stated that the inclusion of half-day walks this season had proved very popular and helped increase patronage.