What started as a community conversation years ago is steadily becoming a reality at Midway Park in Pukehina, with the successful completion of stage one of the popular pump track and plans now underway for a new skills track.
Led by the volunteer-run Pukehina Residents and Ratepayers Association (PRRA), and supported by Western Bay of Plenty District Council (WBOPDC), the project is the result of years of community advocacy, consultation and planning to create a vibrant hub for active recreation, connection and wellbeing in the heart of the beach community.
The vision for Midway Park has been shaped by local residents. Community meetings held in 2018 identified a range of priorities, including improved facilities for bikes, scooters and skateboards, alongside spaces for gathering, recreation, nature and biodiversity.
"Midway Park is right in the middle of our community," says Esther Kirk, a long-time volunteer involved in the project and Committee Member of PRRA.
"We have some fantastic open spaces in Pukehina, but limited recreational facilities,” shares Esther, “For many years there has been a desire to create a place that supports community hauora and brings people together. Seeing that vision gradually take shape has been incredibly rewarding."
The journey has included several important milestones. In 2019, the community secured funding from the WBOPDC Community Facilities Fund to install a skate ramp and picnic tables at Midway Park, helping establish the area as a growing destination for local families.
In 2025, the community partnered with Western Bay of Plenty District Council to consult residents on how funding from a repurposed targeted rate should be invested. Strong support for projects that encouraged youth participation and active lifestyles was received from community submissions. The result was $125,000 being allocated towards the construction of the Midway Park pump track.
Stage one has since been completed, delivering a 185-metre asphalt pump track designed for riders of all ages and abilities. The facility can be used by bikes, scooters and skateboards, and has quickly become a popular meeting place for local families and visitors.
"The response has been fantastic," says Esther, “After school, on weekends and during holidays, the space is always busy. It's become a vibrant hub where people of all ages can get active, build confidence and spend time together outdoors."
The next step is stage two, which has recently received $74,118 in funding support from Manawa Trust (formerly TECT Community Trust) and will see the development of an adjoining riding skills track. Designed as a progression track, the skills track will include a number of features and roll-ins where users can safely develop and refine their skills.
The new facility will cater for balance bikes, bicycles, scooters, skateboards and rollerblades, providing opportunities for beginners and experienced riders alike. It has been specifically designed by Trailpro to complement the pump track and create a more complete recreational destination.
Before plans are finalised, the Association will spend the coming weeks talking with local children, families and regular users to gather feedback and ensure the final design reflects community needs.
Alongside the riding features, further improvements are planned to help make the space more welcoming and established. Additional seating and native planting will be added, building on Council assets that already include picnic tables and pōhutukawa trees.
The project closely aligns with PRRA's vision of creating a thriving, safe and resilient beach community that supports residents and visitors, honours mana whenua, restores natural areas and encourages people of all ages to stay active and connected with each other and the environment.
"A year from now, we'd love to see even more families, visitors and young people making use of the space," says Esther, "This project isn't just about a track. It's about creating a place where people can connect, learn new skills, spend time outdoors and feel proud of what our community has achieved together."
Manawa Trust Trustee Rachael Gemming says supporting projects like the Midway Park Skills Track helps create lasting community benefits.
"The work that local volunteers have put into bringing this vision to life is extraordinary. The Midway Park project is a great example of what can be achieved when communities come together with a shared purpose.”
“Manawa Trust are pleased to support the next stage of a facility that will encourage recreation, connection and wellbeing for generations to come."
Stage two of the Midway Park Skills Track is scheduled to start construction in October and be completed by December 2026.
