Deniliquin State Forest cross-country centre
School children have been enjoying running through the forest this year trying out one of three new cross-country courses in Denliquin State Forest.
In conjunction with local schools, Forests NSW has marked three cross-country courses giving primary and secondary students in the Deniliquin District the option of running a two, three or four kilometre route along the Edward River and through the forest.
Forests NSW operations forester Mick Lalor based at Deniliquin said Forest NSW fieldworkers had placed an information sign at the start and finish of the courses as well as markers along the routes.
“We have placed coloured arrows to guide students through the forest; and to stay on track, runners keep the appropriate colour on their right-hand side,” he said.
Local athletics coordinator Judy Lees from Murray Athletics has provided considerable advice regarding the length and routes of the courses.
Ms Lees said the course has been in the making for the past few years following the suggestion by Forests NSW Gary Rodda to develop a permanent course.
“Up until now I had to mark out the course by hand and then remove all the nails and markers after the State Cross Country Championships. It was a huge task,” she said.
“This year Mr Lalor suggested it was time permanent markers take the place of my brightly coloured cardboard markers of previous years.
“An enormous amount of hours went into developing the challenging and accurate, two, three and four kilometer courses you find in the forest today.
“I received a great deal of help from Forests NSW, for which, I’m sure the Deniliquin community is very grateful.”
Deniliquin State Forest has already hosted all Deniliquin’s State public primary schools, small schools and Mathoura’s individual cross country carnivals, with the Deniliquin District Carnival planned for 22 May.
Mr Lalor said it was wonderful to have the forest used for recreational purposes.
“It is great to get young people in the local community and surrounds out and about and involved in making the most of such an excellent resource,” he said
“We are keen to make greater use of the tracks and hope that more schools will take advantage of the work everyone has put into developing this cross country course.”
Mr Lalor said not only would the young people of Riverina benefit from these new courses but so would visitors to Deniliquin State Forest.
Photos available.