WALKERS and cyclists using Lake Canobolas can now travel the entire loop in comfort after Orange City Council staff completed the pathway.
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About $10,000 was spent on a 300-metre granite pathway connecting to a track on the eastern side of the lake to the dam wall to form a 2.5-kilometre loop.
A section of boardwalk next to the southern section of the lake has also been upgraded to make it consistent with the rest of the track.
Council worked in partnership with Orange Triathlon Club to complete the project.
As well as improving the trail for visitors to the lake, club president Michael Lockyer said it improved conditions for members and competitors during their meets, which could attract 500 people from across NSW and interstate.
“A lot of the obstacles and hazards have been taken away and it’s now a great track for everyone to use,” he said.
“It used to be a dead end and you ran across the grass - in the middle of summer you could mow through a family picnic because you’d have your race face on.”
Mr Lockyer said the lake was popular for its running surface.
“Overwhelmingly, people love to run here because it’s natural and it’s better than running along a concrete path - it’s like cross country,” he said.
He said the next item on the wishlist was a transition area where competitors could collect and drop off their bikes at different points in the race.
Mayor John Davis said it had been a good partnership.
“It’s good to see any sporting group that wants to get in and do things to work with the council,” he said.
“This is a fantastic facility and it is underutilised, but the triathlon club has taken full advantage.”
He said connecting Lake Canobolas to Gosling Creek via cycleways was a long term plan, however better utilising Mount Canobolas would be a job for councillors in the coming months.
danielle.cetinski@fairfaxmedia.com.au