The brief demanded that a Redevelopment Plan enable Caroline Bay to meet the needs of future generations and be a blueprint for future development and activities, for a modest total budget of $4.5m. To provide for this the Plan needed to:

• Ensure appropriate spaces are retained for future activities and structures;
• Provide linkages between spaces, activities and structures;
• Enhance the amenity values and natural features of the Bay;
• Provide appropriate access for cars and people; and
• Integrate existing features

Boffa Miskell’s plan sought to weave together a complex array of historical features, existing activities and environmental enhancements, while extensively upgrading facilities.

The project area sits between Timaru’s city centre and its coast, and is host to a number of uses; some seasonal and temporary and others more permanent. The project needed to provide universal access via broad linkages across and through the site, while catering to the current and future needs of the community and their existing facilities.

In addition to this complex task, ecological enhancement was woven through, particularly across the dunes and the existing Whales Creek stormwater outlet, which was ecologically and visually enhanced as a wetland area with surrounding native vegetation.

Cultural heritage values were important across the site, particularly around the World War One War Memorial; a highlight for Caroline Bay’s many visitors and a place of significant pride for the people of Timaru. This Memorial describes the battle locations, roles and fate of Cantabrians, The memorial was upgraded as part of this project and features interpretation designed by Boffa Miskell landscape architects.

A feature of the design was the introduction of two major promenades and a beach dune boardwalk. The wide promenades provide direct pedestrian access from the city to the sea while the beach dune boardwalk provides easy access for visitors along the revegetated dunes, with viewing platforms giving excellent views of the Bay. Timeline markers show the position of the beach over the last century along the ‘Piazza’ promenade.

The dunes had previously been a barrier between the park and the beach. However, with the introduction of the beach dune boardwalk, the quality and health of the dune environment and public access to the beachfront for all ages and abilities were both enhanced. Use of the park has increased markedly after every completed stage of the development, which is a testament to the project’s success.