PEDESTRIAN CIRCULATION

Piazza Promenade

The Piazza Promenade primarily links the piazza platform and the beach - the city and the sea. This element of the design provides direct access for pedestrians to the beach from the town centre. The promenade aligns with, and points to, a distant view of the coastal volcanic rocky outcrops north of Caroline Bay highlighting their significance as a landmark coastal natural feature.

From the base of the Piazza steps, a chronological series of historical bluestone markers will continue along the promenade. The first section of the promenade will highlight the historical location of the beach in 1895 moving through to the beach position in 2001.

The promenade will be generously proportioned (4 metres wide) with an avenue phoenix palms. Lanes will separate pedestrian users from skateboarders, cyclists, and roller blade users. These will be delineated with textured edge-paving units such as Timaru bluestone setts, or exposed aggregate paving and a smoother texture for wheels.

East / West Promenade

This promenade links the existing pedestrian entrance to the park (under the railway bridge) with the beach and proposed new facilities such as the beach volleyball courts, saltwater pool/leisure centre, and beach promenade in the northeast corner of the Caroline Bay. Like the Piazza Promenade, the East/West promenade improves pedestrian access to the beach from nearby neighbourhoods.

The East/West Promenade will be 4 metres wide with avenue tree planting on either side. Lanes will separate pedestrian users from skateboarders, cyclists, and roller blade users. These will also be delineated with textured edge-paving units such as Timaru bluestone setts and a smoother texture for 'wheels'.

At the intersection of the East/West and Piazza Promenades will be a water feature fountain and pond with a widened area of paving with seating.

Beach Promenade

The beach promenade will link the east end of the beach to the west end following the line of the enhanced sand dunes. The beach promenade will be 2.0 metres wide and made of timber on a driven pile base. At the highest point the beach promenade will be approximately 3.0 metres above existing ground and provide shelter from coastal winds. It will meander and undulate following the natural patterns of reshaped dunes.

Historical interpretation features will be located along the beach promenade.

At the western end, the early history of Maori flax cultivation and trading in the area will be explained and illustrated through graphics and landscape treatment

At the intersection of the beach promenade and the Piazza Promenade, will be a lookout area above proposed beach changing sheds. This will express some of the European colonial history of Caroline Bay through graphics and architectural design based on the beaching of the Benvenue.

Further towards the east, the beach promenade passes through sand dunes where the natural sand dune ecology will be visible. This will also be explained through interpretation.

At the eastern end of the beach promenade, a seaside pavilion designed in an Edwardian style will highlight the historical importance of Caroline Bay to the recreational values in the 20th century of Timaru.

The beach promenade will end parallel to the port along Marine Parade. At this point a final interpretation node will highlight the coastal ecology and marine wildlife of the area as well as the importance of the Port of Timaru to the development of the town.

Circuit Jogging Track

By utilising existing paths and access ways, and the proposed new beach promenade, a circuit-jogging track will be created. The track will have exercise structures and joggers facilities such as drinking fountains located along the route. The track will be approximately 2km long.

Secondary Paths

Throughout the site it is proposed that a network of informal paths be constructed. These will be surfaced with compacted limestone chip. They will meander through trees connecting the various features of the site. These paths will encourage casual strolling in a picturesque parkland setting.