Environment Canterbury Regional Parks

27/07/2026

👀 Have you seen illegally dumped material in Ashley/Rakahuri River Regional Park?
A university student is researching the environmental impacts of illegal dumping in the park and looking at what factors may contribute to this behaviour.
If you've come across illegally dumped material while visiting the park, please take part in this short 10-minute survey.
📅 Survey closes at 11.59pm on Friday, 14 August. (Survey link is in the first comment), thanks.

12/07/2026

McLeans Forest Harvest 2026 🌲

👉 A scheduled forestry harvesting operation in McLeans Forest is set to begin.

👉 Logging trucks will use Haul Road to access the site. As this is a popular area for walkers and cyclists, some tracks will be temporarily closed or diverted for safety while work is underway.

This work will run from Late-July to Late-September 2026.

12/07/2026

From the fast and furious, to chicken hats 👀
That's just a taste of what went down at our inaugural McLeans Forest Run last Sunday! With over 560 runners lacing up, it was incredible to see the running community bringing our regional parks to life on a winter morning.
Huge thanks to everyone who came out — whether you smashed a new PB, crossed the finish line on your first half marathon, or brought the family along for a fun day out, your smiling faces made the day. 💚
See you at the next one!

25/06/2026

McLeans Forest will be closed to all mountain bikes/cyclists from 7am to 1pm on Sunday 5 July. All tracks will be closed including mountain bike only tracks to allow for the safe ex*****on of the McLeans Forest Run.
👉Tracks will reopen from 1pm.

Thanks for your understanding.

16/06/2026

Takapō Regional Park – Night shooting notice (Thursday 18th June).

Contractors will be carrying out a night shoot at Takapō Regional Park on Thursday 18 June.

For everyone’s safety:
⚠️ Please do not access the park at night (no nighttime walks or rides please).
⚠️ Follow all signage and instructions on site.

These night operations help manage pest species and protect the park’s natural environment.

Thanks for your understanding.

05/06/2026

Notice to horse park users:

The horse float parking on Weedons Ross Road will be closed for one day on Monday 8th June while machinery is working in the area, preparing the land for replanting, with a detour in place. Please use the Chattertons Road entrance during this time and follow all signage.

04/06/2026

🌏 World Environment Day reminds us that protecting the planet starts close to home. This winter, you can take practical action for the environment right here in Canterbury/Waitaha by volunteering at one of our community planting days. Planting native species helps restore river margins, improves water quality, and supports local biodiversity.

🌱 Join us and be part of the solution with Environment Canterbury
👉 Register here: https://tinyurl.com/nm5t8bca

📅 Upcoming events:
• Saturday 20 June
• Saturday 18 July
• Saturday 5 September
• Sunday 27 September

Help protect and restore your rivers and parks! Join us this winter for native planting and rubbish clean-up events.

29/05/2026

22/05/2026

Takapō Regional Park – Night shooting notice (Tuesday 26 May)

Contractors will be carrying out a night shoot at Takapō Regional Park on Tuesday 26 May.

For everyone’s safety:

⚠️ Please do not access the park at night (no nighttime walks or rides please).
⚠️ Follow all signage and instructions on site.

These night operations help manage pest species and protect the park’s natural environment.

Thanks for your understanding.