The area had been grazed by dairy cattle. The project was about one-third complete in 2013 and only stages 1 and 2 at the Rivergarden end had been retired from grazing. As part of the campaign to clean the water of the Waikato River, the Cambridge riverbank reserve land was retired from dairying. The Waikato River Clean-up Trust financed the purchase of plants, fertiliser, weed mat and other items which were used from time to time, and we had considerable support from local nurserymen.

The land involved in this project runs from the end of Alpers Ridge in the Rivergarden subdivision to Fletcher Place, where the Poets Track and Steelway join it. It is edged by a high and very steep bank down to the river, and on the other side, by a scarp leading up to flat land which is fenced off and will continue to be available for grazing. There are two swampy areas, and we have planted flax there. It is a very big area to be tackled part-time by retirees, and we are very appreciative of the help we get from the International Baccalaureate students at St Peters School.

The idea of a walking track through Waipa District Council reserve land between Alpers Ridge and Fletcher Place had been discussed for a number of years. Initial barriers of encroachment by adjacent property owners and the need to retire part of a grazing lease had to be overcome. After much discussion with WDC staff and lobbying from Tree Trust members, permission for this major project to proceed was given in 2011. Early in 2012 WDC assisted with the relocation of fences and the construction of stiles. Under the guidance of Joan McCathie, funding was gained from the Waikato River Clean-up trust and a five-year plan formulated. Stage 1 was planted in 2012, and involved the erection of a 1500 metre fence separating a fragile steep bank from grazing, planting over 4000 mostly native plants and forming a walking surface. Grazing was progressively phased out over the next four to five years.

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