6 | Tauranga City Council: Marine Parade Coastal Path T T Karen Phelps Coastal path a boon for recreation Marine Parade Coastal Path blessing for the commencement of construction. REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT Construction has begun on Tauranga City Council’s Marine Parade Coastal Path project after the successful delivery in December of a children’s play area. The three-kilometre path along coastal reserve between Hopukiore (Mount Drury Reserve) and Oceanbeach Road is expected to be completed late this year. The project aims to enhance access to the beach while also protecting the adjoining sand dunes and natural vegetation, says team leader of design for Tauranga City Council, Guy Protheroe, who has been the project manager on the design of the coastal path. The project is a continuation of the existing Main Beach boardwalk, which was constructed in 1999 and community consultation has · Footpaths · Drives · Floors · Kerbing 0274 836 480 gascott@xtra.co.nz PO Box 2219, Tauranga taken place over 20 years including for neighbouring projects such as Innovating Streets. “We’ve had very strong public support, endorsed through a series of public engagement exercises. The public wanted improved access all the way along the beach and to provide a pathway for a range of users to safely experience: pedestrians, cyclists, users of wheelchairs and mobility devices, skaters and scooter riders. “The Marine Coastal Path will enormously increase the recreational possibilities across this stretch of the coast,” he says. Made from a mix of concrete and timber surfaces, the path will curve along the grass berm. In some locations it will climb up onto the higher dunes to provide resting spots and views over the moana (ocean) and nearby motu (islands). Designed by Boffa Miskell, with GHD providing engineering advice, the main path will be made up of a mixture of timber and concrete, and will be a minimum of 3.5m wide with seating and look out areas with information display boards. Fulton Hogan is the lead contractor, engaged in an Early Contractor Involvement process after the project was tendered back in mid 2022. “It’s been a fruitful engagement process and has proved worthwhile in terms of preparing and refining the proposals,” explains Guy. “It has given clarity in terms of buildability and costing.” The project will also include installing additional amenities at key locations along the new path, including new barbeques and upgraded picnicking and seating areas. A new playground near Te Ngaio Reserve, complementing the Te Ngaio Reserve playground on the other side of Marine Parade, will offer play equipment designed for younger children under 10 years old. Guy says the playground will sit within the existing grassed area, and will be low in height so it blends in with the dunes. Next to the playground Tauranga City Council will be installing a new electric barbeque, a picnic table and seating. Guy says the support from local hapū and project partners Ngāi Tūkairangi and Ngāti Kuku, has been important. “The whenua and moana surrounding the area contain a long and rich history for local hapū which must be respected and considered. “Right from day one we’ve had a partnership arrangement with these two hapu that represent the area. “They’ve been involved in design and engagement and their input will continue with the intention of recognition of the cultural significance of this area by way of art and longer term installation of information about the relationship that mana whenua has with the local area moana and motu. The path alignment and its construction will also respect the natural environment and cultural values of this significant place.” Guy says that the new path is part of the first stage of enhancement for the reserve, integrating adjoining streets and improving general amenity along Marine Parade. The speed of vehicles travelling along the road will be reduced to enhance the attractiveness of the whole road along with improving crossing points for pedestrians. The first aspect of this will be occurring concurrently with the Marine Coastal Path project at the Tay Street intersection where a number of options will be looked at to improve the safety of this intersection. Guy says additional facilities along the Marine Coastal Path will be added as funding becomes available and demand requires and may include enhanced protection of the dunes, additional play facilities, additional showers and toilets, BBQ facilities and food trucks. The long-term vision is to connect the Marine Coastal Path with the wider cycling network of trails and facilities. “The whenua and moana surrounding the area contain a long and rich history for local hapū which must be respected and considered. Right from day one we’ve had a partnership arrangement with these two hapu that represent the area.”
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