History
Recreational use of the area has been important for many years,
but has grown significantly in recent times with the development of
additional facilities. The Back Track was used for motorised
recreation prior to its closure to vehicles due to an unsafe
bridge. Gates were installed at each end of the track in 2001
to premanently exclude vehicles.
Mountain bike tracks have been developed in the Woodpecker
Forest over the last decade. These tracks are ridden down
hill and provide a loop from the top of the Back Track. This
allows riders to ride up the easy grade of the Back Track, then
return down the forest track to Kahuterawa Road end.
From around 2000 development of the Sledge Track was began by a
group of volunteers led by Ian Argyle. The aim was to
construct a track along the route of the legal road beside the
Kahuterawa Stream that would eventually give access to Hardings
Park. In 2002 classification of the Turitea Reserve was
undertaken. This classified Hardings Park as scenic reserve
with open public access. A management plan for Turitea
Reserve was subsequently completed and approved in January 2004
Car parking and toilet facilities were provided at the end of
Kahuterawa Road by Council in 2002, and the Sledge Track was
officially opened by the Prime Minister ( Helen Clarke) in April
2003.
Mountain Biking
Manawatu Mountain Bike Club www.mmbc.inspire.net.nz
members have been largely responsible for developing tracks in the
forest area. The club currently has approximately 100 members and
has been steadily growing over recent years. The club hosted a
round of the national cross country racing competition in April
2005 and again in February 2008. This involved around 200
competitors for each event. National organisers were pleased with
the event and received positive feedback from competitors. The MMBC
undertake occasional working bees on the Back Track and tracks
through Woodpecker Forest. Both cross country and down hill tracks
have been marked in the forest. Down hill tracks are designed for
riding on specialist downhill mountain bikes. These bikes are not
designed for uphill riding, users generally push bikes to the top
of runs.
Walking
Prior to development of the Sledge Track, walkers used the back
track. This track is still popular with walkers. Walkers sometimes
return to the Kahuterawa Road end via the mountain bike tracks
through Woodpecker Forest.
Since the opening of the Sledge Track and links to open public
access in Hardings Park, opportunities for walkers have increased.
This has been further enhanced by the opening of the Te Araroa
Trail which traverses Turitea Road - Greens Road - Kahuterawa Road
- Back Track - Scotts Road - Gordon Kear - then south through
Tararua Forest Park.
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