Walks
Brian Mayo and the teams have been instrumental in constructing many of the tracks shown on this site.
He is the narrator of this video and a foundation member of the Cambridge Tree Trust. His work with the teams from the Corrections Department is outstanding. He is a first-class plantsman, especially regarding trees.
Dr Seddon's track is described as "Under Development".
It is not suitable for walking.
Be wise! Stay away!
We and the Waipa District Council have our eyes on this track alongside the Karapiro Stream. It starts where the stream joins the Waikato River and goes back from there for a distance which has become uncertain. A start has been made on a track here by the Waipa Disrict Council.
Heavy machinery has been used on this track in the first half of 2012. The Tree Trust is not privy to the Council's plans for the area, so we await developments. With Lola Silcock Park to finish, and the Meadow Walk just started, we are in no position to undertake the massive planting and track work required here.
Towards the end of 2012, Council planted 3 000 trees along the Karapiro Stream to replace willows that had been removed.
Some 2 years later, (March 2014) a lot of work has been done, but a lot remains. The track is still not suitable for casual walking.
The Cambridge Tree Trust is active in promoting the planting, and protection of trees and the beautification of the entrances to the Town.
Poet's Track could once be accessed from under the (high level) Victoria St. Bridge, but erosion closed that section, and access is now opposite the gymnasium on Pope Terrace, Gill Lumb Park, or Fletcher Place. It is an easy grade along its length. (number 2 on the inset map).
Settlers Track runs from Bath St under the High Level bridge to the boat ramp in Riverside Park on Dominion Avenue.
View Settlers Track in a larger map
Planting along Dominion Avenue preceded the development of the river-level path. It is on the northern side of the river, and for much of its length the steepness of the bank presented a challenge. The cost of installing the long and complicated stairs down from Bath Street and from Dominion Avenue was shared by Waipa District Council.
The hand-rails and posts have been thoroughly targetted by taggers, though, as usual, their messages are indecipherable and therefore quite pointless.
The easy way in to this track is from the boat ramp near the junction with Karapiro Stream, by Achilles Ave. Toilets and parking are available at the skate park in Dominion Ave. The track is at water level, which provides an intimate view of flora and fauna which thrive in that environment. Mosses, ferns, liverwort, etc. growing out of fallen and water-logged tree-trunks are irresistibly eye-catching. The track occasionally floods in winter, and care should be exercised. There is normally a waterfall at its halfway point (seen to have reduced to a barely visible trickle at the end of the 2008 drought).
In 2021, the Council asked us to clear and plant the riverbank at the Boat Ramp end of Settler's Track. They named the area Riverside Park, and the video below shows what we did with it. We were pleased to see that our plantings survived the extra water released by the electricity generators upstream on the 11th of August.
This short stretch serves as a handy link between Lake Te Ko Utu and Karapiro Stream. (number 6 on inset map)
The Cambridge Tree Trust was registered with the Charities Commission as a Charitable Entity under the Charities Act 2005 on 16 August 2007. Registration No: CC10859
