You can download a PDF drawing for this park element from the bottom of the page, or refer to general information below.
BOARDWALKS AND BRIDGES //
GENERAL INFORMATION
Site and locate boardwalks and bridges to:
- continue pedestrian and cycle access and maintenance access across streams, topographical depressions and poorly drained areas
- control access in sensitive areas
Design for access and usability by:
- providing boardwalks and bridges that accommodate a wide range of abilities, ages and physical needs. Allow for wheelchair and mobility scooter use
- connecting boardwalks and bridges to accessible paths
Ensure safety and visibility by:
- using barriers and handrails to mitigate any fall-height hazards
- using kick rails or similar to prevent wheelchairs, bicycles and walkers from veering off platform edges where a fall height barrier is not required
- applying slip prevention on wooden boardwalks and bridges in areas where boardwalks are in damp and shady places
- avoid the use of galvanised chicken wire to provide slip resistance due to the following drawbacks:
- time consuming installation
- difficult to replace single boards when maintenance is required
- holes in the netting develop easily and can cause trip hazards
Ensure good aesthetics and the right materials by:
- considering the following solutions for improving slip resistance on timber:
- grooved decking boards. This is an economical option. To facilitate draining the boards should be installed with a slight fall and with grooves running across the boardwalk. Grooves should be keep free of debris to maintain a free draining surface
- resin anti slip strips. These are made from bauxite chip impregnated glass reinforced plastic (GRP). They offer a durable and excellent slip resistant surface. Strips are screw fixed into existing decking boards, or can be screwed or glued directly to new decking boards
- steel strip inserts. These offer excellent long term slip resistance. Small void strips are created on the timber face into which steel inserts are secured and screw fixed
- anti-slip paint. This paint contains fragments of rubber, sand or grit
- avoiding the use of treated timber over waterways, as toxic residues can leach into aquatic ecosystems
- exploring the option of using recycled, sustainably harvested or non-toxic treated pinus radiata timber as a possible alternative to hardwood
- ensuring the materials used are durable and appropriate for the location, e.g. marine grade stainless steel components in coastal environments
- considering the resourceful manufacture of the elements, including ease of supply and life expectancy
- exploring the use of recycled materials, or the reuse of existing elements to form these structures
- ensuring any proposed timber comes from a sustainably managed forest and is approved by one of the following:
- Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) - an international, non- governmental, organisation supporting a scheme for forest products, which provides a credible guarantee that the product comes from a well-managed forest
- New Zealand forestry industry, through its National Standard for Environmental Certification of well-managed Plantation Forests in New Zealand
- Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC) - an independent, non-governmental organisation, which promotes sustainably managed forests through independent third party certification. These certifications can be requested from timber suppliers.
- exploring alternatives to treated timber or hardwoods such as recycled plastic or composite decking timber. Consider alternative pedestrian network alignments that may avoid the need and expense of a boardwalk or bridge
Maintaining boardwalks and bridges:
- ensure all boardwalk and bridge components, materials and finishes can be serviced and maintained by New Zealand based contractors
- identify and understand the maintenance regimes which could lengthen the life of the chosen material, e.g. staining, and incorporate these details into the maintenance plan for the park upon completion