Patuone Reserve walkway replacement
Check out this hidden gem in Takapuna – the Patuone Reserve walkway – and find out what is planned for this lovely nature reserve. It's down the back of Barry's Point Rd, along the estuary, and it's a lovely walk - and so wonderful to sit and hear the chatter of tui and feel a world away from the craziness of Barrys Point Rd.
If you've never heard of the Patuone Reserve, that's not surprising, because there's no signage at two of the three entrances (behind Countdown, and also from the Esmonde Rd end of Barry's Point past the florist and bike shop, and from beside the Girl Guide Hall in Auburn St).
The 800-metre hoggin pathway and wooden boardwalk is in a parlous state and need urgent repair and replacement in parts.
At the Devonport-Takapuna Local Board meeting on 20 August, the board heard a proposal to not just repair the existing walkway, but entirely replace it.
The existing 1-metre wide walkway would be replaced with 2.5 metre concrete paths and new boardwalks – including an entirely new section of boardwalk across part of the mangrove estuary.
Local residents spoke out against the $2.6 million cost, concrete paths through a nature reserve, and whether a 2.5-metre pathway could safely be shared by walkers and cyclists. Members Jan O’Connor, Grant Gillon and Mike Cohen shared the community’s concerns and repeated their earlier calls for the price for a more modest option. However, chair George Wood and teammates Mike Sheehy and Jenn McKenzie voted to approve the money and proceed with the project.
*Hoggin is a cream-coloured compacted mix of clay, gravel and sand or granite dust.
