Work has started this week on a new shared use path around Whakatāne's Rex Morpeth Park.

Whakatāne District Council transport manager Martin Taylor said the $620,000 project was subsidised by Waka Kotahi, New Zealand's transport agency.

The pedestrian and cycle path is being constructed along the western and northern edges of the park starting from the corner of Goulstone Road where it intersects with Crete Street to the roundabout where Short Street intersects with Commerce Street.

It will replace the existing asphalt path between Rex Morpeth Park and the athletic field, which is in disrepair, with a wider, longer lasting concrete path and extend it along Short Street, in front of the Whakatāne War Memorial Centre.

The path is also being realigned to the eastern side of the redwood grove near the tennis club carpark.

The project will include raised crossing platforms across carpark entrances in Short Street.

Future stages of the project would include a reconfiguration of the intersection of Crete Street and Goulstone Road to slow vehicle speeds, improve pedestrian safety and facilitate a better connection for users of the path.

Current and future plans for the Rex Morpeth Park shared use path, designed to encourage more active modes of transport. Image supplied Whakatāne District Council.

Plans are also in place to create an extension to the shared use path between the athletic park and the aquatic centre to join up with Lovelock Street.

Mr Taylor said park user groups were involved in the early planning of the project to minimise disruption during the construction phase, which, weather dependent, is expected to take three months. The new shared use path is part of the Active Whakatāne strategy to encourage active transport modes, including walking, cycling and scootering while increasing access for mobility vehicle users.

Temporary orange safety barrier fencing would be in place to guard against people and animals straying into the construction area. We also ask park users to be mindful and stay clear of machinery and new surfaces.

-Local Democracy Reporting is Public Interest Journalism funded through NZ On Air