The area identified for redevelopment included a battered sea wall, a narrow strip of bitumen car park, sparse turfed areas and struggling trees. It would need to be transformed to include two playgrounds, a beach café kiosk, a new sea wall, an invisible litter trap, significant shade trees, lawns and fitness stations.
Coastal engineers advised on the new sea wall, factoring possible sea level rises, storms and erosion. An architect designed the lovely beach facility building. A specialist designed and built the litter trap, positioning it underground, out of sight yet accessible for maintenance, and civil works covered the new parking, kerbs and gutters, the shared pathways, barrier fences, playgrounds and shade structures.
An extensive irrigation system combined with soil additives were installed to provide new and existing plants with optimum growing conditions below ground. Opportunities for expansive root growth for trees planted within the car park were created through the use of porous paving linking the planting beds to the large new areas of turf. Some trees were placed to complete avenues while others formed useable clusters of shade – the species were selected for their ability to cope with the environment. Understorey massed plants were likewise chosen carefully. TerraCottem went in throughout the planted areas. “We incorporated the additive though all turf and garden beds to help maintain available moisture in the soil. This also improved the soil conditions for existing trees by providing a new layer of sandy soil for the roots to occupy.” By the end of the project the carpark had been realigned with the edge of the road which helped to open up the reserve to create more green space. Amenity, aesthetics and new facilities aside, visitors to the foreshore now have 300 extra square metres to enjoy.
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