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Marine Parade IV
31 July 2014

 

Ever been looking for something and missed seeing it?  That's the case when I recently discovered these toilets.  Yes, it is a toilet block, one of two, on Marine Parade.  I'd driven past so many times but it wasn't until I came at it from a perpendicular road that I saw it head-on.

 

Even close-up you struggle to consider it an outhouse, despite the toilet signs high above the doors.

It's located at the southern end of the car park, after the Skate Park, and before the now-closed Marineland.

 

Did you notice the building from our second Marine Parade post in this series; and the Sound Shell on the left from our first post. This painted panorama is an 180 degree mural from the northern end.

 

 

This building below depicts the Masonic Hotel opposite the Sound Shell.  

Had the artist completed the remaining semi-circle view it may have captured the Art Deco centre and the MTG (Museum, Theatre and Gallery) too.

 

 

This second public restroom is adjacent to the children's playground which we will profile in Marine Parade V - both great places for families visiting Napier to know about.

 

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Marine Parade III
24 July 2014

 

Between the Par 2 mini golf course and the outdoor skate rink on Marine Parade, Napier lies the Sunken Gardens - a compact courtyard-like space with manicured grass and paved paths.

 

 

Strangely this is the one place where there is no view of the sea - just a row of tall trees along the beach side and the road on the other.   A scene of the ocean would be the perfect complement to this back-to-nature spot on the Parade.

 

 

It's not a Zen garden, nor a sculpture garden.  There is no discernible theme; not native; and a lot of concreted area.  It is more like everyone's backyard in the middle of the city with many of the local businesses and hairdressing training students across the road utilising it for their breaks and outdoor space.  Sometimes it can be noisy due to the skate rink public address system too, but it would be a pleasant enough place to spend the time if the weather were fine and you were waiting for family members to finish there or at the mini golf.

 

 

 

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Marine Parade II
10 July 2014

Lone Star restaurant and Art Deco accommodation

 

Opposite the Sound Shell is Emmerson Street - the main street of Napier.  A predominantly pedestrian zone with a little one-way traffic, it stretches from a public green space called Clive Square at the farthest end to it's head which on either side are a couple of historic eating and accommodation establishments - the Masonic and Lone Star (pictured).

A walk through the centre of town will take you passed art deco architecture a-plenty if you look for it.  The Art Deco Trust offer a (paid) guided walk or you can do it yourself using a booklet (available from the I-site).

The street signs featuring a white art deco font on black may look in keeping with the celebrated period but are a nightmare for drivers as they are not clear and easily read.

 

Napier I-site (visitor information centre)

 

Continuing along Marine Parade there is the Napier I-site.  More than just a visitor information centre with good views, they also have bathroom facilities including showers.

In the background you can also see the Par 2 mini golf course.

 

 

Here is as good a place to mention that all along Marine Parade on the seaward side of these places, there is a wide pathway for walkers, joggers, cyclists, movers and shakers alike. In many parts there are grassed areas as well, so you can stop and sit a while.

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