In an attempt to draw in business from the bypass, the Temuka Community Board is trialling a pedestrian-only alleyway between State Highway 1 (Vine St) and King St.
Organiser Michelle Pye said the trial, which ends in September, was similar to an alleyway in Hokitika, which had worked to lead visitors to the beach.
Cr Pye said the walls of the lane would be painted and Prattley Engineering was creating frames which would contain stories of Temuka’s memorable residents.
Unlike the historically correct story boards dotted around the town, she said Legend’s Lane would be "a bit tongue in cheek".
Not only would the lane celebrate the success of residents, but also local legends like the claim that a resident made a mess in his yard and dumped shingle on it to tidy it up, accidentally creating tarseal.
Then there were the heroic stories, like that of a Mrs Hornbrook who saved someone from drowning in the river not long after she gave birth.
Cr Pye hoped the stories would attract people of all ages to linger in the area, and it would bring a bit of humour to the main street.
"It’s a little bit fun, and a little bit quirky."
She said the idea of Legend’s Lane came about from a conversation with a community member.
Local athletes would be showcased in an athlete’s alleyway elsewhere in town.
While the alleyway was pedestrian-only at this stage, Mrs Pye said it was simply a trial and was open to feedback from the community.
Cr Pye said the closure of the alleyway to vehicles had highlighted access issues for the pharmacy’s older customers.
It would be decided at the community board meeting in September on how it would go ahead.
For now, the alley would remain closed while the walls were painted, which would allow work to go on unhindered by traffic.
