Framing community leaders vision

Date: September 2019

Helping Hand: Mitre 10 Marton

Project: Build a look-out over a community project

Athol Sanson was Rangitikei’s parks and reserves boss and the instigator of a 20-year reforestation project to improve water quality in Marton’s dams and prioritise community engagement.

Athol’s Lookout is a tribute to his vision and contribution to the community, built at the perfect spot overlooking the planting around both dams. A rustic wooden frame creates a portal for the view and a large wooden seat is sited the ideal viewing distance from the frame.

A collaboration between Project Marton, Mitre 10 Marton and Bryce Kinloch, Athol’s Lookout has created a place for the community to enjoy and to feel a sense of ownership, having planted around 25,000 natives.

The volunteers from the Mitre 10 Marton team worked alongside Project Marton planting trees and developing the lookout. Cath Ash from Project Marton said: “Mitre 10 helped with every aspect. They even helped fix up the fences and make them look better. They have amazing community spirit.”

“He was shocked, surprised, pleased and I believe his works were ‘humbled’,” Cath Ash said of Athol’s reaction to the unveiling.