More mud pools visible in Kuirau Park

WORK DONE: Rotorua Lakes Council sport and recreation manager Rob Pitkethley is pleased vegetation has been cleared alongside mud pools in Kuirau Park. PHOTO/BEN FRASER

Kuirau Park's geothermal activity is becoming more visible as the area gets a facelift.

Rotorua Lakes Council sport and recreation manager Rob Pitkethley said the park was more people friendly as a result of the work that had been going on for some time, but had ramped up since last year.

Clearing of vegetation was part of the council's Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) programme.

"An initial CPTED process was carried out about 10 years ago as a response to repeated incidents in the park at that time. Since then we've removed a lot of lower vegetation and opened up sight lines around the key sites in Kuirau Park.

"More recently we've created safer areas in conjunction with Green Corridor work currently being undertaken to expand the shared walking and cycling path.

"As enhancements are progressively made, Kuirau Park is becoming increasingly popular so making the environment as safe as possible will encourage even further use."

He said mud pools previously covered in vegetation were now more visible, enhancing the area.

"We knew the pools were there although in our active geothermal environment they are continually changing. It's great that park users are able to see more and more of those quite unique geothermal features in the park.

"Rotorua Lakes Council has received very positive comments about the work done to increase the visibility of features in the park and improve safety. Our plan is to maintain these key public viewing areas into the pools."

The CPTED work is among other improvements being made in the area.

"The new Green Corridor walking and cycle path across Kuirau Park to the Lake Rd side is nearly complete, and the first stage of the Boulevard Gardens development is due to begin soon, linking the Haupapa St side of the park with the main playground area."