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Milnthorpe Park

Scenic Reserve Re-Forestation Project

Golden Bay, New Zealand

Milnthorpe Park is a Scenic Reserve with recreational walking tracks set amongst re-generating forests, swamps, tidal inlet and Golden Bay beachfront. The Park is dedicated to the planting of trees, to replenishing a once barren land and to nurturing diversity of wildlife habitat.

Location

Location

Golden Bay is North of Nelson and at the top of the South Island. Milnthorpe Park is at the centre of Golden Bay, 25km from Takaka and 5km from Collingwood. A car park and main entry is signposted on state highway 60, 100m past the turning to Milnthorpe Quay. For quick access to the beach park at the end of Kendal Street.Zoom in and pan around, and refresh your browser page if you get lost. For more info on the unique surroundings of Golden Bay and Kahurangi National Park visit www.goldenbaynz.co.nz

Double click map to zoom in then pan around or use arrows in top left

www.goldenbaynz.co.nz sdc11933

History

This human assisted rainforest began in the early 1970's with the vision of Milnthorpe Parks founder Dick Nicholls. For decades prior the barren stretch of crown owned land had been dis-used (see adjacent images of Milnthorpe in the 70's). Centuries ago it is likely that repeated fire burnoff removed the pre-human contact forests. The subsequently depleated soils were not successfully adapted by farming or agriculture (although old stone walls suggest some attempted activity). In 1882 surveyors described milnthorpe as "poor land... of rushes and scrub".After identifying the potential for ecological repair, Nicholls gained support from the Department of Lands and Survey and the Milnthorpe Revegetation Project was established in 1974. With political reform in the 1980's the re-vegetation project was denied ongoing government support. With planting efforts still in early stages of an intensive tree survival strategy, Nicholls decided to continue his commitment to Milnthorpe as a full time volunteer. In 1999, after 25 years of dedicated scrub clearing and tree planting, Milnthorpe was officially granted Scenic Reserve status and renamed Milnthorpe Park. It is now administered by an incorporated society under agreement with the Department of Conservation. All work at Minthorpe Park is still completed with the supervision of Dick Nicholls. Recent efforts have created kilometres of recreational walking tracks, allowing visitors to enjoy and explore the different stages of re-forestation.Many others in the community have worked voluntarily to make Milnthorpe the place that you see today. See the Donations and Humans Pages for more detail.

Early 1980's
Mid 70's
Aerial view mid 1970's
1977 from the West
1980
Aerial view 2
Parapara Inlet more recently
Milnthorpe more recently
The stone bridge 1976

It was a harsh and barren land

That seemed to bear some dreadful curse

Abused, neglected, swept by fires

The tailings of the universe

And should one, lost, seek haven there

What comfort might we hope to find

Could splendid dreams and work contrive

To heal a tired and troubled mind

And could those dreams and work redeem

Inlet land and make it whole again

Ten thousand trees can testify

Now growing in that green domain

Go walk beneath those cherished trees

And you will feel and understand

How peace and harmony have come

To bless this once cursed land

Frank Soper

Forests

Re-Forestation

Milnthorpe Park is now home to thousands of hand planted Rimu, Rata, Totara, Beech, Miro, Matai and many more NZ natives growing beneath 90 different eucalyptus and 28 acacia species. Thirty years ago Milnthorpe was a barren stretch of abadoned scrub land, so this transformation is a remarkable achievement. The initial tree planting mission was to establish a strictly indigenous forest over the scrub covered 400 acre coastal site. Planting efforts frequently failed and by 1976 the true nature of the impoverished soils became apparent. Idealism gave way to pragmatism in a trial planting of exotic trees, of which Australian species proved best adapted to the poor conditions. 90 different eucalyptus and 28 acacia species were trialed. (Cheifly Eucalyptus Botryoides, E. Ovata, E.Saligna, E.Microcorys, E. Grandis, E. Regnans E. Pilularis, E.Fastigata, and Acacia Melanoxylon, A. Dealbata, A. Sophorae, A.Elata)These trees quickly grew to enrich topsoil layers and provide the crucial canopy of shade that has enabled the successful planting of tens of thousands of longer-lived NZ native specimens. The shade canopy has helped to marginalise the once prolific gorse and Hakea, replaced now by rapidly expanding green undergrowth. Many of the exotic pioneer species are also nitrogen fixing soil improvers and to date results are very encouraging.Currently the largest trees are the initial generation of exotic pioneer species. Increasingly the slower NZ native specimens are peaking through. These include: Rimu, Rata, Totara, Kahikatea, Ngaio, Akeake, Cabbage, Black Beech, Kohekohe, Puriri, Miro, Matai and many more. Further to all the hand planted trees, self sown native seedlings are also emerging throughout the park, often attributed to seeds dispersed by birds feeding in neighbouring Kahurangi forests.The true success of the exotic / indigenous model will emerge in coming centuries as podocarp forest giants mature, soil is thoroughly improved and the coastal forest and swamp habitat is thriving in full diversity.

Rimu at Browns Bush
Milnthorpe Walkway
Pukatea
Acacia
Rimu seedling
Eucalyptus
Blackwood Trail
Jimmy's Jungle
Redwood Trail

No Fires

Walks

Walking Tracks

The infrastructure of walking tracks at Milnthorpe offer numerous routes through the Park; from the beach front to inland Bellshill and Mitch's Lookout. Single tracks range from 10-45mins and you might spend hours to complete a good loop walk. Click the below map to see Milnthorpe Park tracks or download and print the PDF as well. Copies of this map are available at the Park's main entries.Many tracks are named to acknowledge support from workers and donors. See the Donations page for more information.Tracks are maintained as required. If you find damaged tracks or fallen trees please contact park headquarters.

Click to see map

Milnthorpe park web pamphlet.pdf

Track Signs
Park access from Kendal Street
Two Bridges Track
Milnthorpe Walkway
The Old Road
Esplanade Extension
Walk on water
Mitch's Lookout
From Parapara Beach
Kendall Street
Hovendens Hole
Milnthorpe Beach

Birds

Birdlife

Predator Control

Predator control is an ongoing measure to ensure a safe environment for wildlife, especially birds. At Milnthorpe Park a network of traps are monitored to target, stoats rats, possums. Invasive weeds such as banana passionfruit are also actively removed.

Possum
Rat
Stoat

With the replenishing forest and predator control schemes, the bird population has flourished in Milnthorpe Park and surrounding areas. Milnthorpe Park is host to growing populations of most of the common New Zealand species: Tui, Korimako/Bellbird, Kereru/Wood-Pidgeon, Piwakawaka/Fantail. You are also likely to see and hear some less common birds including: Weka, Miromiro/Tomtit, Matata/Fernbird, Riroriro/Grey warbler, Pipiwharauroa/Shining cuckoo, Ruru/Morepork, and Karearea/Falcon. As a coastal reserve you will also notice sea birds, including:Takapu/Gannet, Torea/Oystercatcher, Tara/Tern and Kuaka/Godwit (when their migration paths visit New Zealand). Other wildlife to be found living in the park includes: Whistling frogs, Koura/Fresh water crayfish, Kokopu/Native trout and Tuna/Eels.

link to: www.NZBirds.co.nz Nga Manu o Aotearoa Humans No Frame

Humans

The Milnthorpe Park Society Inc.This team of humans is collectively responsible for the administration of Milnthorpe Park. Current committee members are: Dick Nicholls, Bruce Hamlin, Joe Bell, Sandy Isbister, John MasonSculpture in the ParkMilnthorpe Park has been inspiring the creativity of local artists since 2004 and there are now many sculptures to be seen hiding amongst the trees and ferns. Artwork is asked to be of natural and non toxic materials only. ContributorsVolunteer contribution of human time and labour from the local community has often boosted the development of Milnthorpe Park. Thank you to the following workers:Dick Nicholls (never a day off)Dai Thomas (Master of Milkwood track)John Mitchell (Mitch's Loop, Mitch's Lookout)Guy Nicholls (born into the park and steering its future)Trevor Riley (Trevs Track and Milnthorpe Walkway)Pete Corby (Pest Control)David Ruddleston(The Esplanade)Bob McMahon (early days)Bil MacIntyre (early days)Steve Burgoyne (early 90's)Mat Black Healthpost (local business leading by example and taking time off to plant trees)Mike Radford (periodic meditations in gorse taming)Joe Nicholls (cartographer, photography, website)

Maps
Sculpture
Important technology
Sculpture Paul DeJager
Signs

It was a harsh and barren land

That seemed to bear some dreadful curse

Abused, neglected, swept by fires

The tailings of the universe

And should one, lost, seek haven there

What comfort might we hope to find

Could splendid dreams and work contrive

To heal a tired and troubled mind

And could those dreams and work redeem

Inlet land and make it whole again

Ten thousand trees can testify

Now growing in that green domain

Go walk beneath those cherished trees

And you will feel and understand

How peace and harmony have come

To bless this once cursed land

Frank Soper

Donations

The entire four-hundred-acre forest of Milnthorpe Park is maintained by just a few volunteers. Tree-planting, maintaining walking tracks, and pest and weed eradication takes a lot of time, love, and energy.To donate to this incredible project, please contact Dick Nicholls on (+64) 03 524 8373 or email a message from the Contacts tab.Donations are channelled into the purchase of new native seedlings and track building / maintenance. All records of donations and purchases are transparent and monitored by the incorporated society. Scroll down to view acknowledgements of donors to date.Donors and Contibutors named within the parkAreas within the park have been established by donation and named in agreement with the donors. Thank you for helping Milnthorpe Park to grow.Baas Straight & Baas Deviation - for generosity from the late Colin BaasBarrie's Bench - for generosity from Barrie Jackson and familyBeinn Dobhran Bridge - for generosity from Frank & Berna SoperBellshill - for generosity of Joe and Margaret BellBob's Bit - Recognition for Bob McMahon who worked in the park 1978-82Browns Bush - for generosity of Bob and Ruth BrownCampbells Couch - For generosity from Campbell McLaughlan and familyConway's Corner - for generosity (with plants) from Martyn & Jo ConwayElise's Way - a memorial to Elise Baas, died 1990Frampton's Fairway - for generosity from Chris Frampton and familyGails Grove - for generosity of Gail MasonHovendens Hole - for generosity from Pub Carity via Tinky's Tavern Ians Incline - in memory of Ian Robinson, who passed away 1995Jimmy's Jungle - recognition for Jim Sinclair who planted that area of the track in 1983Joe's Bush - in memory of Joe Tisdall who died 1996Leslie's Lookout - named upon request by Matt Black in recognition of his work in the parkMarshall's Marsh - For crucial support from Kerry Marshall, then Mayor of Tasman DistrictMatthew's Walk - in memory of Matthew Vaughan who passed away in 1993 aged 24Milkwood - for years of voluntary work in said area by Dai ThomasMitch's Lookout & Mitch's Loop - for his mighty contibutions to the park and in memory of John Mitchell, died 2005Tom & Ann's Creek - for generosity of Tom and Ann Sturgess is providing aerial topdressing of rock phosphate 1999Trev's Track - for track building efforts of Trevor RileyUna's Deck - for generosity from Una HollowayList of DonorsDonors to Milnthorpe Park of not less than $100 are listed below. Thank you for helping Milnthorpe Park to grow, and supporting a greener future for all. Alan and Jo-Anne VaughanBob MacMahonCampbell McLaughlinChris FramptonColin BaasEstate of J. G. MitchellEstuary ArtsGail MasonGary BrightGilliam JacksonHealth PostInan MitchellJill PomeroyJohn and Mary GlaisyerJohn and Olive FramptonM and B WebbyMG and EM NichollsMike and Bertha NewmanMike RadfordMurray gavinPub Charity Inc.Reen McMillanRex and Anne LoachRuth Brown estateS.J.Dauber & D.J. IsbisterSollys FreightSue SharpTasman District CouncilThe Bell FamilyTom SturgessWorld Wide Fund for Nature NZ
map

Click to see map

Contact

Post: Dick Nicholls Milnthorpe Park R.D.2. Takaka Golden Bay New Zealand

Phone: Dick Nicholls: +64 (0)3 524 8373 Guy Nicholls: +64 (0)21 02399242 Email: to be confirmed

Milnthorpe Park Soc. Inc.

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