The Trust has recently completed a $300,000 plan to create a world-class heritage trail network across three former WWII Marines camps, linked by a 15km cycling and walking loop.
The plan, written by trail designer Janice Hill in consultation with the Trust, offers a professionally developed vision to connect local and international visitors to a fascinating and significant wartime story through walking and cycling trails.
It integrates physical and digital storytelling offering a sustainable, educational and inclusive heritage experience for residents and visitors alike.
In backing this initiative, the Trust aims to make history visible and accessible in the landscape; to connect local, national and international visitors with the unique wartime story of the Kāpiti Coast and promote active recreation through historically themed trails.
The plan will see four interconnected trails developed: a 3km ‘walking only’ trail in Queen Elizabeth Park, formerly Camp Russell; a 3km’ walking only’ trail on Whareroa Farm, formerly Camp Mackay; a 3km walking only trail in an around the new Camp Paekākāriki Memorial at the southern end of Queen Elizabeth Park and a 15km walking and cycling trail encompassing all three former camp sites.
All trails will be looped for interest and convenience, built on existing DOC and GWRC tracks (classified as DOC category 2 or 3 for accessibility). The design caters for a wide variety of users - from ‘active explorers’ to elderly and mobility-impaired visitors. A total of 196 signs are proposed including; interpretive panels, providing historical context, photographs, quotes and maps at key sites and ‘Then and Now’ Pillars (steel structures with QR codes linked to short (1–1.5 minute) digital stories for viewing on mobile devices.
The plan is now fully costed and all work will be undertaken by local designers.
Trust Chair Larry Keim says: this is a major project for the Trust that will effectively up-grade, replace and renew all signage across the three camps, linking them together in a modern, creative way as a legacy for generations to come.
If you would like to contribute to this project, either Donate money here, or if you would like to contribute time/resources, please contact us