Making our destination beaches accessible for all
12 May 2025, 9:54 AM
Enjoying the beach is part of what’s great about living in Kāpiti. But it’s harder for some of our whānau to access our beaches than for others. Disabled people, the elderly, and even people pushing prams, can all find it hard to get onto our beaches.
That’s why our Open Spaces Strategy includes a plan to create a ‘well designed and planned’ access point to beaches in each of our main towns. Seven accessways – near Campbell Park in Paekākāriki; Hydes Road, Raumati South; Marine Gardens, Raumati; Maclean Park, Paraparaumu Beach; Tutere Street, Waikanae; Waimea Road, Waikanae; and Ōtaki Beach – will all eventually be upgraded to become ‘Destination Beach Accesways’.
Making it possible for people with mobility issues get to the beach, helping everyone connect with the sea views including our icon Kāpiti Island, and protecting the dune environment are the main objectives for beach accessways. In popular areas where several paths through the dune area have been formed over the years, beach accessways contain human impact by providing obvious paths to the beach and restricting access to the dune.
Concept idea only – AI generated
In this way, along with enhanced planting, accessways go a long way to help protect our precious dunes.
Features of accessways can include pathways, viewing platforms, handrails, seating, lighting, accessible ramps and mats, for example.
We’re currently planning our first two destination accessways at Ōtaki Beach near the pavilion and Maclean Park in Paraparaumu Beach.
We’re working with our mana whenua partners, stakeholders and community to ensure we identify and consider their lived experiences, values and aspirations for each area and their vision for beach accessways. Concept plans will be completed by June 2025 and construction will follow as funding allows.
Have your say on what’s important to you about Ōtaki Beach near the pavilion and Maclean Park in Paraparaumu Beach and what features you’d like to see included in a destination beach accessway before midnight on Sunday 1 June at haveyoursay.kapiticoast.govt.nz/beachaccessways.