Spark and Friends Track Building Day—25 January 2016

Today a very enthusiastic and motivated group of volunteers came to help out on the new walking track.

The group included Anna, Dawson, Declan, Emma, Lucian, Paul and Steve. Anna, Emma, Paul and Steve have assisted us for the past three years as part of Spark (formerly Telecom NZ) staff volunteer days at CUE Haven and it was great to have them back and also meet their friends.

We spent some time getting acquainted and reacquainted over morning tea and Thomas gave a safety briefing and an overview of the work to be performed.

We then drove up to the new track area and went to work.  The first task was to carry the tools and supplies up to the end of the track.

The team picked up where previous volunteer groups had left off.  The track route had been sprayed and it was necessary to clear off the dead vegetation.

The section of track the team was working on went alongside a sloping section of ground and also uphill.  As a result, it was necessary to bench the track into the side of the slope.

As they worked their way up it became necessary to cut out steps because the grade was too steep.

Each step was supported with a wooden plank held in place with pegs.

As the planks were installed, the steps were shaped and smoothed.

In some areas the sides of the steps were quite steep and the team shored them up with small retaining walls.

The team broke for lunch and took a walk down to the cottage via the gully walking track which gave them a chance to explore some other parts of the property.

After lunch the motivated team went back to work for a couple more hours and completed an incredible 65 metres of new walking track—an amazing effort for a small group on a very hot day.

When they left the field they brought up all the tools and unused equipment.

Whilst waiting for Dawson who found a few spots he wanted to fix up!

We were really impressed by everyone in this team.  They got along well, had fun, and came up with innovative solutions to some interesting track challenges.  They accomplished an amazing amount of work and have a lot to show for their efforts.

What a fantastic accomplishment!!

We want to thank Paul for organising the day and getting the team together.  It was great seeing old friends and meeting new ones.  We very much enjoyed working with you all.

Our heartfelt thanks to all of you for taking a day off work and coming out to help us. We really appreciate all your hard work and your wonderful contribution. Thanks to your efforts we are much closer to completing the new walking track this summer. We look forward to having you all back for a leisurely visit to take a walk on the completed track and to plant the celebration trees!