Some months ago our forest entrance was closed while some of the paths were upgraded to be suitable for wheelchairs and mobility scooters. The good new is that the work is finished and our entrance is open again. I say 'our entrance' because it is right next to our village. There is another entrance but we need to drive there because it is a few miles away.
So this is how the entrance looked for months.
Now it has been revealed.
There is a special gate that will let in wheelchairs but not dirt bikes, they are not allowed in this forest.
The walk through space is quite narrow.
There is a group of volunteers called Friends of the Forest and they liaised with the minister and discussed what they would like improved. The man on the scooter is Rex and his wife standing next to him is Beryl. They are residents of our village. They had a lot of input in the discussions and were our representatives. The guy in the blue shirt and dark jacket is our local member of the state parliament, Mick De Brenni. He is the minister for Energy and Hydrogen and the Minister for Public Works and Procurement but when the forest improvements were planned he was the Minister for Sport and Recreation. He was keen to better the mountain bike tracks in the forest as well as the disabled walkways.
This group of volunteers and the workers who completed the job were invited to the official opening.
Our Rex and Mick cut the ribbon.
The workers and Mick outside the new toilet block.
The new track from our entrance into the forest.
I even got Bill to try to walk on the new surface which is crusher dust. He hasn't been able to walk for many weeks as he has not been well. He is feeling better but his heart is failing and it makes life tough.
When we arrived home we were greeted by some wallabies. One of them was hopping down our street. I took the following video. He hops out from behind a bush.
It is great to know you will still be able to visit the bush even if you need a mobility scooter to get about.
ReplyDeleteNice to have your forrest back to use. I suppose you are not short of local advice but after seeing a collapsible motor scooter in the UK to fit in your car boot, I was very impressed.
ReplyDeleteI got so excited at the thought of a wallaby running down the street I forgot my planned comment. doesn't take much to block the thoughts I have from my memory. the forrest path looks wonderful and i know you are all happy to get access by walking and not driving. glad they used the crushed paving and not paving like we do here
ReplyDeleteVery wise of the Friends of the Forest volunteers to liaise with the minister and to discuss what they wanted improved. What were the Friends of the Forest's top priorities - new toilets? better surfaces for wheel chairs? special gates? Or something else that didn't happen?
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure what they asked for but there is a budget plan and it is in 3 stages. This is the completion of stage two. There was a new toilet block, a new horse float car park, new walkways for disabled improved cycle tracks. The locals are pretty happy about the work.
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ReplyDeleteI am sorry to hear Bill is not well, sending prayers! The new trail looks wonderful, it is nice to have a easy walking path. Neat sighting of the Wallaby. Take care, enjoy your day and the week ahead!
Love the video. We apparently had a wallaby hopping up our street and on the lawn the other night...interesting indeed for the city.
ReplyDeleteSo it's official the path is open again. Looks good, enjoy your walks.
So good when locals get together to get things improved. The first photo of it covered in banners reminded me of 'Utopia' though. I hope beautiful Bill feels better soon (tentativelytasmanian.blog)
ReplyDeleteIt looks beautiful ! That's nice to have a wood nearby, and that it is so well taken care of. The wallabi looks so cute, I wished I had one running here in our enormous garden, but there are only foxes and squirrels, which is not bad in the middle of the town. Sorry that Bill has to slow down, he has to take it easy, some things we can't do anymore.
ReplyDeleteLooks really perfect for those of us less sure on our pegs than we used to be as well as the scooters. I've never seen wallabies so close to habitation before.
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry about Bill...I'll be praying!
ReplyDeleteThe park is lovely!
hugs
Donna
Was a great accomplishment for your local council. And so good to have such a path entrance in your own neighborhood. I can never quite get over the surprise of your seeing a wallaby in your own front yard (I know about them and where you live and all, but still...). Best wishes for your Bill.
ReplyDeleteHow nice it the entrance is now! We call those people who maintain and improve trails here Trail Angels and they truly are. M glad Bill could enjoy it a bit but so sorry he is not well. I’m sure the NKs from the beautiful trees felt really good. Would love to see wallabies hopping down the street!
ReplyDeleteThere was good news and not so good in this post, Diane. First, it was good to fead about and see that the forest path has reopened and that it will be easier for handicapped access. Of course, it wasn't good to read that Bill is having difficulty getting around.
ReplyDeleteIt looks like quite an improvement and it's good when people come together to make things happen. Sorry to hear of Bill's health issues.
ReplyDeleteThis looks like a wonderful walkway for everyone to use. I am glad to see the handicap access.
ReplyDeleteVery sorry to learn about Bills issues. I know that is really hard but hope you two can get out for short walks just to be in the outdoors.
Sue
This is a very good park and I think that the workers did a good work for safety and comodity in the place.
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