But the Dunedin City Council says the inconvenience will be worth the results.
Sarah Caudwell, of Belleknowes, said Tomahawk Beach was one of her favourite places to walk in Dunedin.
"I’m really drawn to this beach ... I usually come once or twice a week."
When the council announced last month it was upgrading the lower and upper car parks and blocking two main access points, she was surprised the council recommended an alternative access point which requires crossing a stream running from Tomahawk Lagoon.
"It’s disappointing."
She had seen people leaving the area before making a planned beach walk because they could not cross the swollen stream.
The council should have provided an easier way to access the beach during the upgrade, Ms Caudwell said.
Council parks and recreation group manager Robert West said the upgrade work had been delayed by wet weather but the return of sunny skies has allowed contractors to resume work.
The car parks’ entranceways were expected to be sealed tomorrow, in time to reopen the "revamped" car parks to the public on Monday.
"There will still be landscaping work to complete, including new barriers, signs, a kiosk, seating, bins and new plantings, but most areas of the car parks will remain open — except for specific work sites — while this stage is carried out."
The project would incorporate an artwork acknowledging the area’s cultural, ecological and historical environments and pay respect to Te Runaka o Otakou narratives of place.
"In the meantime, members of the public are still able to park on Tomahawk Rd and use other access points — such as the nearby soccer fields — to reach the beach.
“While we regret any disruption caused by the work, we have tried hard to keep it to a minimum and we are confident the results will be worth the inconvenience.”
Otago Peninsula Community Board chairman Paul Pope said the stream was swollen because Otago Regional Council contractors "cleaned it out" during lockdown to release water from Tomahawk Lagoon to reduce a flood risk.
The beach could be accessed at other points along the beach "without getting your feet wet".
He was pleased how the upgrade work was progressing.
"It will make the visitor experience better."
