Open Space Access Plan Plan for the Management of the Open Space Access Network
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Open Space Access Plan Plan for the management of the Open Space Access Network SEPTEMBER 2016 2 Wellington City Council Contents 1. Introduction ..................................................................................................................................3 The East-West Connection – Otari-Wilton’s Bush to Makara .........................................................................21 1.1 What is the open space access network? ...............................................3 Karori Stream Access .................................................................................................... 22 1.2 How do tracks fit in? .......................................................................................................... 4 1.3 The Council’s role .................................................................................................................. 4 7. Sector information ......................................................................................................... 24 1.4 Other providers .........................................................................................................................5 7.1 Sector 1 – Spicer and Tawa west .....................................................................24 1.5 Community trail builders ...........................................................................................5 7.2 Sector 2 – Ohariu/Churton Park ......................................................................24 7.3 Sector 3 – Kaukau ................................................................................................................ 27 2. Existing track networks .............................................................................................. 6 7.4 Sector 4 – Otari-Wilton’s Bush ......................................................................... 27 2.1 Strengths of Wellington’s track network ............................................. 6 7.5 Sector 5 – Makara Peak and Karori .............................................................30 2.2 Weaknesses of Wellington’s track network ..................................... 6 7.6 Sector 6 – Wrights Hill/Karori/Zealandia .........................................30 2.3 Opportunities for Wellington’s network .............................................. 6 7.7 Sector 7 – Te Kopahou/Careys Gully ........................................................ 33 2.4 Threats to Wellington’s network ..................................................................... 6 7.8 Sector 8 – Grenada North/Belmont 2.5 Accessibility opportunities and constraints .................................. 6 Regional Park/Tawa ........................................................................................................ 33 3. Vision ..................................................................................................................................................... 8 7.9 Sector 9 – Newlands/Johnsonville .............................................................36 7.10 Sector 10 – Trelissick Park and environs............................................36 4. Components of the network .............................................................................. 10 7.11 Sector 11 – Te Ahumairangi Hill .....................................................................39 5. Network principles ........................................................................................................... 11 7.12 Sector 12 – Botanic Garden ....................................................................................39 5.1 Principles for ecologically sustainable tracks ............................ 11 7.13 Sector 13 – Central city and waterfront ................................................42 5.2 Recreation uses ...................................................................................................................... 11 7.14 Sector 14 – Mount Victoria/Matairangi ................................................42 5.3 Track design ................................................................................................................................12 7.15 Sector 15 – Mount Albert/Island Bay ........................................................45 5.4 Track networks ....................................................................................................................... 13 7.16 Sector 16 – Miramar Peninsula ........................................................................45 5.5 Track assessment ................................................................................................................ 13 7.17 Sector 17 – Western Rural and Coast ....................................................... 48 5.6 Walking, running and mountain biking/cycling .................. 14 8. Appendix one – track classification ....................................................... 50 5.7 Motorised vehicles ............................................................................................................ 15 Track classification diagram ............................................................................... 51 5.8 Horses ..................................................................................................................................................16 5.9 Electric bikes ..............................................................................................................................16 9. Appendix two – track specifications ...................................................... 52 Schedule A: Open space areas and tracks closed to 10. Appendix three – Open space access mountain biking/cycling (last updated April 2016) .......................... 17 implementation plan 2016 ................................................................................... 57 Schedule B: Open space areas and tracks that have a Open Space access implementation plan – priority use for mountain bikes (developed April 2016) ............ 18 Strategic direction ............................................................................................................. 57 Schedule C: Open space areas and tracks that are Renewal ............................................................................................................................................59 approved for e-bike use (developed April 2016) .....................................19 Schedule D: Open space areas and tracks open to Funded upgrades ................................................................................................................59 horse riding (last updated April 2016) .................................................................20 Unfunded projects ........................................................................................................... 68 Criteria for setting track-work priorities .......................................... 69 6. Key initiatives .........................................................................................................................21 The Skyline Track................................................................................................................21 11. Appendix four – Current lease horse grazing areas ........ 70 The Harbour Escarpment Walk .......................................................................21 12. Appendix five – Wellington City Council Great Harbour Way/Te Aranui o Pōneke .............................................21 walking and cycling policy objectives (2008) .........................76 The Rural Coastal Connection ..........................................................................21 13. Amendments to Open Space Access Plan....................................... 77 Cover page photo: Oruaiti Reserve and Wellington Harbour looking north Open Space Access Plan 2016 3 1. Introduction Most cities have large urban parks for public 1.1 What is the open space access network? recreation, or areas of open space on the urban fringe The open space network is simply any route that runs for tramping, bush walks and biking. Wellington has a through open space. It may be a specifically built road unique network, embedded within the city structure or track, may have evolved from use or have been and Wellington Town Belt, running out through the adapted from a former farm track. The main categories suburbs to the Outer Green Belt and beyond into the of users are pedestrians, cyclists and vehicle users. rural environment. This plan bases its classifications around these users. The track network offers benefits for the entire There are many roads and vehicle tracks in Wellington community and caters for a wide range of interests that are vital to the network and are maintained for and abilities. reasons other than, or in addition to, recreation access (for example, access to utilities). There are also a Environmental benefits number of paper roads (legally a road but as yet unbuilt), • Promotes community awareness and appreciation which may have some future significance for access. of the natural environment Roads and vehicle tracks are considered within this • Develops public understanding of the principles plan as part of the network, however, the design and and value of conservation standards of roads and tracks is not included within this • Promotes walking, cycling and running as viable document because of the specialist requirements. modes of transport • Enriches the experiences of visitors through Open spaces are outdoor places around us