Trialling active travel in the Town Belt will be considered by the Dunedin City Council at Thursday’s meeting.
Under the proposal, recommended by staff, sections of Queens Dr and Braid Rd would be closed to through traffic for three months from January while a shared pathway connecting Roslyn, Mornington and City Rise is tested.
If successful, the road closure could be made permanent.
In her report to councillors, parks and recreation planner Katie Eglesfield said the section of road provided a unique opportunity to "reimagine" the greenspace, in line with its reserve management plan.
"By trialling a closure here, the space can be experienced as a cohesive, enjoyable area of reserve land, rather than as a road corridor," Ms Eglesfield said.
"This creates immense recreation and amenity value in its own right, transforming the Town Belt from a highway that divides, into a destination that connects."
The reserve management plan, adopted in August, directed the council to improve transport safety and investigate shared pathway options in the area.
Current recreational potential was "undermined by roads that prioritise vehicles", create safety risks and aiding illegal parking and dumping, the report said.
Signs and black bollards would mark road closure points during the trial, although vehicle access for residents and essential services would continue.
A plan accompanying the report indicates four "activation zones" along the proposed pathway, including areas for food trucks and nature play.
Possible activities included pop-up yoga and fitness events, a bird discovery walk, and games and paths painted on the road.
Ms Eglesfield’s report said transport data indicated Queens Dr was not critical transport infrastructure; rather, it functioned as a "high-speed cut-through" as most vehicles travelled over the 50kmh limit, some reaching 80-90kmh.
Temporary closure was expected to have a minor impact on transport, the report said.
"The trial is an opportunity to reimagine this section of the Town Belt as an active, people-focused space — a place to enjoy the reserve as a park, rather than a thoroughfare."
Before the trial, traffic, pedestrian and cyclist numbers would be recorded, including through new "artificial intelligence monitoring technology" attached to street lamps.
The community would also be asked for feedback.
After the trial, councillors would decide whether to return the road to status quo, change its function or close it permanently to develop a long-term shared path.
The trial was expected to cost $15,100 — including $3100 from parks and recreations budgets to establish seven planter boxes along the pathway.
The remainder would be funded through the council’s transport budgets.
If the council approves the trial, it will run from January 12 to April 19.
