Four years ago, the Rotary Club of Devonport spotted an opportunity to create an action-packed space for their mokopuna (young kids). They noticed the kids were creating a rough and hazardous bike track through an unused part of the Waitemata Golf Club.
A core group of Rotarians worked tirelessly with the golf club negotiating a lease for this unused land to create a safer space. They had countless meetings with neighbours, surveyors and the Devonport Takapuna Community Board. Auckland Council funded the professional design and consenting costs. After almost four years of hard work and determination there was a breakthrough. Consent was granted and work commenced in late October 2021 to build a pump track.
What is a Pump Track? Basically, it is a continuous circuit of rolling elements and landscape features that allows energetic kids to propel themselves around on bikes with little or no peddling depending on their own skill level. And more importantly, to have lots of fun!
A vast range of supporters joined the group to help with the practicalities and the project started to take shape in October 2021. A generous local contractor took the project under his wing and pulled in a range of resources, including a Bobcat that rapidly transformed the topography.
“Working bees were organised and the wider public arrived with wheelbarrows, rakes and spades to help with the fine contours of the course. Environmental volunteers provided plants and labour to enhance the woodland design. Coffee and refreshments were provided by the nearby beach café.”
The activity soon captured the imagination of locals, and a local advertising firm promoted the project. Facebook and Neighbourly posts drew even more support. Working bees were organised and the wider public arrived with wheelbarrows, rakes and spades to help with the fine contours of the course. Environmental volunteers provided plants and labour to enhance the woodland design. Coffee and refreshments were provided by the nearby beach café.
The project was funded from the club’s charitable trust, in partnership with Auckland Council. It has been a project the club is proud of and committed to maintaining. An opening mihi (blessing) was carried out on November 8, 2022, nearly four years on from the initial proposal.
At this year’s District Changeover, Governor Matt McLeod awarded the Rotary Club of Devonport the Millennium Cup for the project, which best provides service to the community, innovation, membership involvement, public recognition and presentation.
Rotary’s profile in the community has been elevated by providing an exciting space that promotes fun and wellbeing for years to come.