Spalding Park north-south pathway opens

A shared pathway winds its way along the river towards the footbridge.

Cycling, walking and skating between the Chapman Road roundabout on the North West Coastal Highway and Spalding Park is now quicker and easier since the recent opening of a formalised shared pathway.

The 2.5m wide and 850m long asphalt path begins at the entrance to Spalding Park and follows the river before crossing the footbridge and extending north to the Chapman Valley roundabout located on the North West Coastal Highway.

City of Greater Geraldton Mayor Shane Van Styn said the paved pathway provides an important link between the suburbs located on either side of Chapman River.

“Now that the shared pathway is completed residents living in the areas of Glenfield, Sunset Beach, Waggrakine, Spalding and Bluff Point will be able to enjoy the health benefits this fully accessible pathway provides for cyclists and walkers alike,” he said.

“This also includes children as the Chapman River footbridge is used by a large number of school students every day on their way to and from school on bicycles, skateboards, scooters or on foot.

“The Spalding Park north-south pathway provides the much needed connection to the existing coastal and river path networks, integrating these with the CBD and coastal paths to the southern suburbs.”

The $180,000 project, which was identified by the community during the Sunset Beach Precinct Planning workshops, is 50 percent funded by a Regional Bicycle Network grant from the Department of Transport with the City contributing the other half.