Editorial: Beach Parade is looking good again

An artist's impression of the bike pump track that Napier City Council plans to build on Marine Parade, south of the aquarium.

How the scenery has changed.

During my young years, growing up on the Marine Parade, there was a boating lake and there was a field of trampolines and some tennis courts.

There was once a kiwi house (why did that ever get the shove?) and there have been go-karts and skating rinks.

There was also a lot of wide open spaces between the packed northern end of the parade and the south.

The council of the day (without consulting us or the neighbours) put up the Spirit of Napier and effectively took our sea view away, but hey, it was a fine addition to the stretch as it broke the barren stretch of grass, as did the National Aquarium of New Zealand which is a great asset to the parade, and the city.

Through the years it has certainly changed, and continues to change.

It was sad to see the boats and the karts go, but the activities for the young have continued and are about to get a further boost through the creation of a bike "pump track" which is planned to be up and running by next February.

While adult riders can use it, it will clearly pull the younger pedal pushers, and that's a good thing. Fun and exercise.

There is also consultation under way for the development of the Marineland into a skate, scooter "multi-purpose" recreational area.

And more landscaped gardens and waterworks.

It will look good., but my only niggle is that apart from the aquarium the stretch is strongly focused on children and young people.

And that's great, but what do mum and dad do when they arrive in town for a holiday break?

Watch the kids play?

I like the concept of the sandy lagoon because it has the potential to attract and hold people, and holding people in town means they will spend money in town.

And I recall the remarkable response the temporary ice skating rink got over the fortnight it was in place just south of the aquarium two years ago.

Has a permanent one been considered?

The one thing that stands out above all though is the Marine Parade is looking very good because there was a time it looked very tired.

Oh, and how about a beachfront bistro or cafe or two just off the walkway?