A cohesive design that responds to the natural environment and the needs of the community.

Alexandra (Manuherikia) is on the banks of the Clutha River. The town was founded during the Otago gold rush in the 1860s. The town is now a popular holiday destination mainly due to the hot and sunny climate during summer. 

The Alexandra Miner’s Village and Riverside Park Trust envisions rejuvenating the downtown precinct into a multipurpose community and tourism hub in the form of a village with riverside linkages, including a terraced park and boat pontoon. Central Otago District Council support the vision of developing a Riverside Park and assisted with funding a concept design package. 

Boffa Miskell was engaged to prepare a concept package that identifies an overall design for the site with a particular focus on enhancing the area to create a hub for the surrounding bike trails and providing a public reserve along the river that can be enjoyed by all ages whilst responding to the natural environment.

Location

Otago

Worked with

Alexandra Miner’s Village & Riverside Park Trust
Aukaha

Project date

2021 - 2023

Alexandra is geographically significant for cycle tourism, as the convergence point of a number of cycle trails. The concept for Alexandra Riverside Park provides an opportunity to incorporate a bike hub which allows trail users to stop in Alexandra. A dedicated plaza space has been created to provide public facilities and activities that support trail users, visitors, and the community. Two large bike hub areas are provided to provide people the opportunity to rest and explore the area.

The site is located on the edge of the river with steep topography. Alexandra is surrounded by Significant Amenity Landscapes that form the Clutha Valley. The rocky gorge is identified as an Outstanding Natural Feature, as the semi-arid schist outcrops provide a distinctive and spectacular backdrop to the town. These landscapes are distinguished by the gently rolling and deeply incised gullies, heavily indented terrain, as well as rocky tors and cliffs The Site is located along the Clutha River/Mata-au, which is particularly deep and strong flowing, and the Manuherekia River on the southern edge of Alexandra.

A viewing platform has been proposed at the end of Tarbert street to draw people down into the space and provide opportunity for people to experience the views out over the Manuherikia and Clutha| Mata-Au Rivers. A proposed ramp extends along the bank provide interaction and a connection with the awa. 

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