Len Howard Nature Trail is located in the Len Howard Conservation Park in Erskine, Western Australia. The 55 metre long by 2 metre wide boardwalk was designed by RSA Engineers and installed by Natural Area for Parks and Wildlife Service of the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions.
The boardwalk substructure has been constructed from Wagners CFT Fibre Reinforced Polymer (FRP) and features rivet and bracket connections rather than steel plates and through bolts. The decking has been completed with timber which combines the natural aesthetic and comfort of wood with the durability and low maintenance of FRP.
Surefoot type footings have been used to provide a fast, strong and efficient alternative to traditional concrete footings. And because the boardwalk is in a significant environmental setting, this footing system also means minimal soil disruption which reduces risk to tree roots and the surrounding ecosytem.
FRP is the perfect solution for the substructure of the Len Howard Nature Trail because it’s:
- Durable – with a 100-year design life
- Inert – so will not rot, rust or corrode
- Cost effective – through reduced maintenance/replacement cycles
- Non-leaching and non-toxic making it safe for this high value conservation area
- Resistant – to termites, acid sulfate soils and marine borer
This peaceful and short walking trail in Len Howard Conservation Park winds through the Ramsar-listed Peel-Harvey Estuary, the largest and most ecologically diverse estuarine system in southwestern Australia. A popular destination for tourism and recreation, the area is well-known for boating, fishing, and crabbing.
Beyond its appeal to visitors, the Peel-Harvey Estuary plays a vital role in supporting wildlife. Walkers frequently spot Mandurah’s dolphins alongside tens of thousands of waterbirds, including migratory shorebirds from the northern hemisphere that rely on the estuary and lakes each year.
The trail also passes over freshwater pools teeming with insects and birdlife. For those willing to set out in the early morning or evening, there’s a chance to see a resident kangaroo or a quenda foraging for earthworms and fungi in the soil.
