Lions Club of Helensville Provide Community with Fitness Trail
Over the last twenty or so years the Lions Club of Helensville has been a big player in the development of Rautawhiri Park. Initially, in 1995, we funded restoration of the main building (which was in a past life the Rodney District Council Huapai Offices), an area called the Lions Lounge. We fully funded in 2000 an emergency services Helipad at the park which is used by both Ambulance and Police.
Lions Member Michael O’Neill took the lead in this project and has hammered away for many years. Due to health problems, Mike had to hand the baton over to Lion Scott Osmond who has worked closely with Council Officers and potential providers of the exercise equipment. A number of our members had seen how they were a successful community asset at numerous places in New Zealand and overseas including Australia and Canada. While a small Lions sub-committee did all the work on this project we have continued to raise money from holding book fairs twice a year, publishing a Community Directory annually, running a food kiosk at the annual Helensville A&P show, and numerous other fundraising activities. We have also received a small grant from the Lloyd Morgan Lions Clubs Charitable Trust.
The idea of Helensville Lions creating a Fitness Trail at Rautawhiri Park came prior to 2010 when Helensville was still part of the Rodney District Council. Initial discussions were held with various council officers. The general feeling from council was that Lions would have to fund and build a pathway around the trail as well as pay for the fitness equipment. When the Auckland Council came in to existence the Rodney Local Board took on the responsibility for parks management. Our Local Board member Brent Bailey was very supportive of the concept and also Board member Brenda Steele when she was Board Chairperson. Finally, a plan was made for improvements to Rautawhiri Park funded by the Local Board, which included a pathway to be built in stages around the park to access fitness stations which would be funded by Lions. The pathway was commenced last summer but not able to be completed before winter so it was only able to complete it late December 2018. This first stage extends only around the eastern section of the park and it is hoped that future funding will enable further pathways to be constructed. Already it is being used by many members of the community for exercise. People of all ages and ability are taking regular walks and runs, children are safely leaning to use their cycles, and many dogs are taking their owners for a walk. There are only five fitness stations in place on the new pathway. This is due to the need for adequate space for people to exercise by running or walking between stations. Each station is designed to encourage exercise of certain muscle groups. There is a chart on each station showing how to use it, plus a QR code which can be scanned on a smartphone to bring up more exercise information.
The equipment used on the fitness stations is provided by “Playground People Ltd”, who have been very helpful and patient over a couple of years to provide the best equipment we can for the budget available. The equipment is made in Denmark by “Kompan Ltd”, and the bases underneath the fitness equipment have been supplied by “Playbases Ltd”. It is made of recycled rubber and ensures users are safe and the equipment will be able to be used in all seasons.
It is truly amazing to see the daily increasing use of the new pathways by people of all ages. We see runners, walkers, children on bikes, young and old. An elderly couple, he with his walking stick and her with her walker, are seen doing a circuit. The path is wide and safe for all of us to use. Thanks to the Rodney Local Board for supporting the construction of the pathways and the full rebuilding of the tennis and netball courts. Bring on the additional pathways proposed to fully circle the park.
Five fitness stations have been installed on the pathway by the Lions Club of Helensville to provide even more opportunity for our community to keep well and fit.
