A new piece of track which takes the Alps 2 Ocean cycle trail off the State Highway through Kurow, shows the power of community.

A small group of volunteers who maintain the Kurow Hill track saw the potential to link the hill with a 600-metre section of trail formed on top of a closed water race.

The race ran behind the houses for years until KDIC (Kurow Duntroon Irrigation Scheme) filled it in, Kurow woman Karen Turner says.

The trail was recognised as a potential walking trail for locals as they were already walking it, "but it was overgrown and not that nice underfoot", Karen says.

Along with other volunteers, Karen helps maintain the Kurow Hill track, and saw the development of the pipeline trail as an addition to what they already do.

“I did not want to have to go to funders for this and thought it was something our community could build.”

The work came at no cost to the community. 

“Everyone donated time/skills/machinery/gravel,” Karen says.

The project, from idea to completion took eight months.

Volunteering their time and resources were Gary Hawkins Earthmoving, Murray and Geoff Turner, Brett Green Contracting, and Road Metals.

The trail runs through Awakino Station land, and KDIC, who owns the easement, gave permission for the track.

Waitaki District Council officers provided support and advice on the project.