The work will complement a recently completed Port Otago-led multimillion-dollar groyne construction and sand replenishment project that locals say has given the coastal area new life.
A Dunedin City Council spokeswoman said the reserve upgrade began in 2021 with construction of a skink enclosure at the reserve’s southern end.
Most of the work for the upgrade was carried out last year following the start of the groyne construction, she said.
"The car park was built last year, making a huge difference to the site as the harbour became visible from the road and the reserve became more obvious to people travelling through the area.
"Since then, we have installed a half basketball court and planting throughout the reserve," the spokeswoman said.
Playground equipment would be installed over the next few weeks.
The council expected to install a sculpture by Dunedin artists Aroha Novak and Kirsten Parkinson in May this year.
The skink enclosure at the southern end of the reserve ensured the native lizards had good habitat and were protected during construction work, the spokeswoman said.
Inside the enclosure were north-facing rock mounds for the skinks to live in and bask on in good weather.
They were monitored by a herpetologist yearly.
The herpetologist completed checks in December but the council had not received those results yet.
The upgrade also included placing rock mounds throughout the reserve to provide skink habitat, she said.
The final stage would be the planting of the new sand dunes at the beach this winter.
The council had spent $363,000 to date on the project and planned to spend another $234,000 on temporary fencing to protect the new dunes, planting, art work, playground equipment, signs, seating and lizard monitoring.
The Te Rauone Coast Care Committee contributed $56,000 towards the playground equipment and community volunteers helped with the planting programme, the spokeswoman said.
