The park is in the early stages of planning after the Southland District Council voted to allow for public access to the Waikaia Forest in October last year. Board member Hilary Kelso told the meeting that since then, Elevate Trails, a Queenstown company which built world-class trails, had developed a concept plan for 50km of trails in the forestry block. Elevate’s initial plan said the site was a good size with good potential for easy and intermediate trails, and limited terrain and variety for advanced trails. A trust would be formed to raise funds to build and maintain the tracks, Kelso said.