Big picture plans will make Marine Parade the premier place to play

Napier’s foreshore is set to get an upgrade thanks to a visionary plan to create a ‘Kids’ Capital’ along Marine Parade.

Enhancements to existing attractions are part of the proposed plan, along with two new flagship attractions including a ‘cable ski’ which has proven popular in tourist destinations around the world and a ‘wave garden’ which utilises cutting-edge technology to create surf waves in a man-made lake.

Mayor Barbara Arnott says that Napier City Council wants to build on the significant work already done via other tourism initiatives. Enhancing Marine Parade means building on the city’s history, Art Deco heritage, café culture, fine wine and gourmet food, cycle trails and everything else Napier has to offer.

She says everyone enjoys Marine Parade in different ways, and these enhancements will allow everyone even more choice about what they do there.

“We’ll have a good mix of free and entry fee attractions and a balance of quiet areas and high-energy attractions. It will truly be a place for kids, and kids of all ages,”

Funds have already been allocated from this year’s capital plan for some elements of ‘The Big Picture’ plan to take place, but clearly there is a couple of activities that are on a wish list and council will be looking to the private sector for investment.

“We’ll see some changes to Marine Parade before Christmas,” confirms Barbara Arnott.

“The new penguin home at the aquarium will open in November and the playground extension targeted at older children will be completed by the end of the year. The recreation and water development north of the aquarium will also get underway in the next six months, while construction of the storm water pier will begin in 2013.”

A junior bike track is the latest project to gain Council approval. This safe and secure track will be located near the existing playground and will provide a fun and realistic setting for young cyclists to learn to ride their bikes, develop road-safe skills and potentially develop a life-long love of cycling.

‘The Big Picture’ plan is supported by Hawke’s Bay based entrepreneur Rod Drury.

“The wave garden and cable ski are big ideas and will require a visionary approach that we hope will attract investment from private investors and tourism operators,” he says.

“Together we can make Napier the premier place to visit and play. Let’s reclaim Hawke’s Bay as the kids’ capital, where the young build a lifetime relationship with the Bay.”

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