THE MARINE PARADE IN DUNEDIN WILL BE SHOW PLACE OF THE FUTURE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 27128, 9 July 1949, Page 6

THE MARINE PARADE IN DUNEDIN WILL BE SHOW PLACE OF THE FUTURE

Steady progress is being made with the development of the Ocean Beach Domain Board property at St. Kilda terminus, and additions to existing improvements are being made. Within a few years, this approach to the sea should be one of the show places of Dunedin, for a marine drive is being built northwards to Lawyer’s Head along the top of the sandhills. Car parks and seating accommodation will be provided at intervals, and visitors will obtain a view of both sea and city, for the roadway will range from 30ft to 40ft above the level of the Hancock playing area and the golf course.

A new roadway has been constructed from the original level to the driveway above, and while there is much work to be done, the formation is being gradually pushed ahead.

To the south, towards St. Clair, the driveway will not run along the top of the fore dunes, but slightly below until it reaches a point nearly opposite the St. Clair Tennis Club courts. It will, then turn sharply at right angles and come down to Victoria road. While the drive will not continue on to the St. Clair esplanade, improvements will be made on the St. Clair side of the tennis courts, for on the high sand dune at this point a car park is visualised, with possibly a refreshment booth and an ice-cream and soft drinks stall.

In the area lying between the sandhills and Victoria road and from the St. Kilda terminus to the St. Clair tennis courts, the ultimate objective is the creation of seven playing fields. A large proportion of this land has been used as a tip for many years, and a small portion of it is still being used as such, but its availability for this purpose is now limited. Two playing fields have already been constructed; one is in use, and the other will be available next season. Further areas will oe available at a later date. While tSiese playing fields are surfaced with about six inches of clay and top soil, as a binding property for the sand base, grasses primarily started off by clover sowings have taken remarkably well. The plant root system apparently is providing excellent drainage lor surface water, and the result is that the fields are making excellent playing areas for winter use.

Extensions are. also being made to the hard courts in the locality to the croquet green, while the Forbury Bowling Club is making a green opposite the intersection of Victoria road and Moreau street. When the whole domain area is completed it should present one of the finest mixed outdoor games areas in Dunedin. Supplemented by shrubberies along the lower slopes of the marine driveway, and with the nower beds in the vicinity of the terminus, the surroundings will be very pleasing. Considerable work has been carried out during this off-season with the beddingout of plants, and the effect of the first touch of spring on their growth will complete the picture.