Update
The gala was a wonderful success. Sun all day, an increasing wind from the east, but there is reasonable shelter from that wind provided by the coprosmas and other shrubs that fringe the golf course.
We were too busy to count numbers accurately, but there was a steady stream of walkers, cyclists, dogs, and people just wandering in and out all day. Justine and Kuini started a chalk procession up the drive, drawing outlines round kids, some parents, (and the odd dog and bike) who volunteered to stretch out on the tarmac, and the tally ended up at 259, but that was less than a third of those who walked up past the bollards.
Visitors ranged from those who were on their way up for their usual walk and didn’t know there was a gala, to those who hadn’t been to the drive since before it was closed for the outfall works five or so years ago. The overwhelming feeling of those who came was that being able to walk along that flat stretch of road and enjoy the beutiful views without having to worry about traffic was an experience worth saving. I talked to a lady who loved how confident her son with Downs Syndrome had become on his tricycle riding up there, and another lady who said she had initially been against the closure, but when she drove up there she changed her mind, and now walked there regularly. Many others said how surprised they were to find all the carparking space up the drive with wonderful views – they had thought from the rhetoric they had heard that the drive was completely closed to cars. And our “angel” parking was so much more successful than the nose to tail format used at the moment.
All in all a wonderful day, which introduced many more from Dunedin to this special space.
Upcoming
John Wilson Promenaders want to celebrate and advertise John Wilson Drive as a safe and enjoyable place for families to gather and have fun.
So, we are arranging a Fun Gala day on Sunday 22 aug from 10am till 4pm. Bring family and friends for a fun day on Dunedin’s widest and most scenic walkway, and discover that the Drive is still open for those who want to go the extra kilometre.
Some of the activities planned
The best-dressed pram competition
There will be prizes for decorated baby buggies, strollers, prams and push chairs at 11am.
Kids on bikes
There will be a fun ride for tricycles and ride ons.
Pony rides
If you don’t like wheels, try this older form of transport
Lunch
Bring your lunch and a rug and join us for a mass picnic till 1.30pm.
Sausage sizzle and coffee stalls
Mass walk to the end of the road
A chance for everyone to move together. Bicycles, skateboards, trolleys, wheelchairs and walking sticks are all welcome.
Facebook page
Yes it was a great day, the wind was a bit on a blustery side but hey – who cares! I hope JWP stays car free indefinitely. It’s a wonderful resource for Dunedin.
After aprox 4 weeks of lobying those who walked along the drive in April / May this year we were able to submit 453 submissions to the DCC annual plan hearing asking for the drive to stay as it is but with some seating provided. At the Council Annual plan meeting the council voted 1o to 2 to leave the drive as it is in it’s current form, free from motor vehicles, from the bollards through to the Sir Leonard Wright Lookout.
wonderful outcome from the DCC annual plan hearings, but I notice taht the opposition are getting very vocal and active trying to get a big email thing going to ask the council to change its mind. We should never be complacent nd we need to be constantly on the lookout for any new developements. Eventually there will be no-one left who remembers that is was a place to drive – but that’s a wee way off.