Baldwin Street facts for kids
A house on Baldwin Street
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| Namesake | William Baldwin |
|---|---|
| Length | 350 m (1,150 ft) |
| Location | North East Valley, Dunedin, New Zealand |
| Postal code | 9010 |
| North end | North Road |
| South end | Buchanan Street |
| Other | |
| Known for | World's steepest residential street until 2019 |
Baldwin Street is a very famous street in Dunedin, New Zealand. For many years, it was known as the steepest residential street in the entire world! It's located in a suburb called North East Valley. This special street is about 3.5 kilometers (2.2 miles) northeast of Dunedin's main city area.
In 1987, the Guinness World Records officially named Baldwin Street the steepest street. However, on July 16, 2019, another street took its place. This new record holder is Ffordd Pen Llech in Wales. Baldwin Street has a steepness, or gradient, of 35%. Ffordd Pen Llech is even steeper, with a gradient of 37.45%.
What Makes It So Steep?
Baldwin Street is a dead-end street, meaning it doesn't go all the way through. The lower part of the street is made of asphalt. But the really steep part is made of concrete. This concrete helps stop the road surface from melting in hot weather. It also prevents it from sliding down the hill.
The street goes up a very steep hill. For every 2.86 meters you travel horizontally, the street rises 1 meter. This is why it feels like you are climbing a wall!
Fun Facts and Events
Baldwin Street is not just a regular street; it's also a popular spot for fun events!
- The Baldwin Street Gutbuster: Every summer, people gather for a race called the "Baldwin Street Gutbuster." Competitors run from the bottom of the street to the top and back down again. It's a real challenge because of how steep the hill is!
- Jaffa Race: Another popular event involves rolling thousands of chocolate candies called "Jaffas" down the street. Each Jaffa is sponsored by a person. The first Jaffa to reach the bottom wins a prize for its sponsor. This event raises money for charities.
- Guinness World Record: Even though it's no longer the absolute steepest, Baldwin Street held the world record for over 30 years. This made it a famous landmark. Many tourists still visit to see and experience its incredible slope.
Visiting Baldwin Street
If you visit Baldwin Street, you'll see many people taking photos. Some try to walk or run up the steepest part. It's a great place to feel like you're defying gravity! There are signs at the bottom of the street that explain its history and steepness. It's a unique place that shows how interesting city planning can be.
Images for kids
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Surveyor Toby Stoff in 2021
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The unicyclist has to lean forward to keep his centre of gravity centred over his unicycle's contact with Baldwin Street, on the steeper concrete covered portion of the street.
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Information sign at the bottom of the street which reports a gradient of 1 in 2.86 at the steepest point
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Looking upwards
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Photographed with the street level
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Parked car
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