The Ōamaru Underland Arts Trail was officially opened on Wednesday by OSCAR@Fenwick children to the delight of project organisers.

The ribbon cutting by the Out of School Care and Recreation children was part of a small ceremony, which included moa-nest cakes, to celebrate the community-led revitalisation of one of Ōamaru's lesser-known walkways under and near the Thames Street railway bridge.

The project was part of the Waitaki District Council's Revitalise Our Places Ōamaru (Ropo) programme which began with a five-group "Strategic Doing" workshop in December last year.

The Ōamaru Underland Arts Trail group comprised Jacob Barwick (Victoria Lounge), Sarah Gallagher (Heritage NZ Pouhere Taonga), Jeremy Holding (Waitaki District Councillor), Martin Horspool (Buggy Robot Gallery), Mark Smith (Waitaki District Council) and Cara Tipping Smith (The Business Hive).

Although Jeremy didn't make the celebration, he congratulated the group on the collaboration and for getting the project over the finish line.

"It’s a great enhancement to the area and I am sure it's going to be appreciated by our locals and visitors alike," he says.

The team appreciated the financial investment from Waitaki District Council, through the previous Government's Better Off funding, to help support local place-making and improve community well-being.

Project coordinator Mark Smith thanked artist Matthew "Wicksey" Wicks who painted the moa; Martin, who was in charge of painting the moa footprints; Dooley's Masonry who prepared the surface; and various teams at the council and Otago Regional Council. He also thanked Kiwirail for "all the preparation and work that's gone into this project".

OSCAR@Fenwick students cut the ribbon to officially open the walk. Photo: Alex Regtien

Martin Horspool (left) plays the sounds of moa as Mark Smith (right) explains some facts about the giant birds. Photo: Alex Regtien

Some of the project team (from left to right), Jacob Barwick, Sarah Gallagher, Martin Horspool and Cara Tipping Smith. Photo: Alex Regtien

View from Thames Street. Photo: Matthew Wicks.

Eating cake "moa nests" complete with eggs (in miniature). Photo: Alex Regtien

Cake time at the station. Photo: Alex Regtien

Painting in the moa prints' basecoat, (front to back) Mark Smith, Martin Horpsool and Matthew "Wicksey" Wicks. Photo: Cara Tipping Smith

Jeremy Holding and Jacob Barwick talking about possibilities for the area, a year ago. Photo: Cara Tipping Smith

Sarah Gallagher (front), Ruth MacEachern (formerly Oamaru Victorian Heritage) and Mark Smith navigate the stepping stones, last year. Photo: Cara Tipping Smith

Back where it all began a year ago, the full project team including Lisa Heinz (formerly, Waitaki Whitestone UNESCO Global Geopark) at the whiteboard. Photo: Supplied WDC

Find out more about the artists and the project - Moa murals to be 'hidden gem' under Ōamaru bridge and First giant steps taken in 'Underland' art project.

Find out more about some of the other community-led Ropo projects;

• Photography pop-up part of CBD revitalisation initiative
• Artists' pop-up brings colour to Thames Street
• Latest pop-up hopes to help realise CBD potential
• Crafting a new future from old furniture
• Growing the future - Farmer / WDC collaboration germinating