First walkway to open

Press, 2 December 1978, Page 22

First walkway to open

Canterbury’s first walkway, from the Sign of the Takahe to Scott Reserve, will be opened on December 10, by the director of parks and reserves for Christchurch (Mr H. G. Gilpin). The opening, which will take place at the beginning of the walk, at the Sign of the Takahe, will be attended by the chairman of the Walkway Commission (Mr P. H. Lucas) of Wellington, and the Assistant Commissioner of Lands (Mr John Friel). The Mayor (Mr H. G Hay) and chairmen of local councils have been invited to attend. The 5 km walk is uphill from the Sign of the Takahe along the Summit to Scott Reserve. Starting from the Takahe end on a clear day, the walker will be able to see out over Christchurch; after the Sign of the Kiwi and around the Sugarloaf Reserve, a good view of the harbour may be obtained, and finally, at the Scott Reserve, it is possible to see the whole of Christchurch, the Canterbury Plains and the Suthern Alps. According to the secretary of the Canterbury District Walkway Committee (Mr D. Forrester) the walk is an easy one and suitable for families. Although this walkway is the first in Canterbury, there are several in other parts of New Zealand. One in Hokitika is due to be opened on December 9.