Additional car parks are to be put at Otanewainuku Forest Park on Mountain Road, Oropi, to cater for increasing visitor numbers.

Earthworks to extend the carpark are expected to start on July 22 to provide an additional nine car parks, giving the area a total of 27 parks. The work will be done over a two-week period, weather permitting.

Otanewainuku Kiwi Trust is leading the project which has gained a community grant of $9915 from Western Bay of Plenty District Council.

The balance for the work has come from in-kind sponsorship by Beca Civil Engineering for design and engineering, a cash contribution from Wild Kiwi Clothing and from public donations to OKT.

OKT Trustee Gavin Cherrie says increased visitors to the forest has put pressure on the available parking, particularly in the weekends during summer.

'Double parked vehicles and traffic volumes along Mountain Road past the forest carpark create a risk to pedestrians – especially children,” says Gavin.

'It is this concern for the safety of our visitors that has motivated the trust to take on thing project.

'We are hugely grateful to the council, Beca and Wild Kiwi Clothing for their help with funding and expertise.”

Gavin says the works will be managed by the contractor, Moon Civil and Drainage, during construction and he asks people to be careful when visiting the area during the construction period, as there will be machinery working and restricted parking access.

'Please respect the traffic management and obey the speed limit when passing through.”

Parking access will be available on each side of the carpark during the works and traffic management will be in place for the duration of the clearing and roading works.