As Mokuaikaua Church Kahu Brian Boshard performed a blessing Tuesday afternoon at Old Kona Airport Park, children were lining up and gathering in excitement to set foot on the new playground. They gawked at the inviting equipment, structures and other features, beckoning them to play and explore.
When county officials untied the maile lei and unlocked the gates, roughly 30 children ran across the grass-like safety surface and around the brightly colored modular playground to their favorite feature. They slid, climbed and swung. Everywhere, laughter and the cheerful sounds of children could be heard. There were also lots of pleased smiles of their accompanying adults and those who attended the dedication.
Construction of this $440,677 playground began in February and was completed Friday. It was built by Honolulu-based IPR Hawaii, a specialty construction company building recreation areas and sports facilities, and its subcontractors. The equipment was designed for two age groups: 2- to 5-year-olds and 5- to 12-year-olds, said Clayton Honma, county Department of Parks and Recreation director.
The goal is to ensure a wide range of quality play opportunities that meet the needs of toddlers and elementary school children. The latter didn’t have a designated area at the old playground. The pieces for the older children have higher decks and overhead climbing bars, for instance, that require more upper body strength, Aubrey Summers, county park projects manager, said.
Along with creating the play areas, IPR Hawaii integrated shaded places for park users to enjoy, picnic and rest. The company also improved the surfaces under and around the approximately 7,000-square-foot playground in accordance to safety guidelines and Americans with Disabilities Act regulations, said Enoka Davenport of IPR Hawaii.
The former playground was decades old and heavily used at this popular park — a hub of activity for families participating in soccer, baseball, basketball, tennis and other sports in the surrounding fields, at Kekuaokalani Gymnasium and in the Kona Community Aquatic Center. Besides the natural wear and tear, there were also parts missing and others on the verge of failing. “It was just time,” Honma said of the replacement.
The contractor donated some pieces of the old playground, those deemed safe, to a nonprofit and the rest was disposed of, Summers said.
Honma expressed gratitude to Mayor Billy Kenoi, as well as Kona council members Karen Eoff and Dru Kanuha, for supporting this community project and helping secure the funding. During Tuesday’s ceremony, several parks staff members and county officials were also recognized for their hard work, dedication, persistence and support.
In recent years, the county has built several new or replacement playgrounds throughout the island. Waiakea Uka Park’s new playground opened earlier this month while the long-awaited Honokaa playground opened in March. Such projects boost the county’s investment in playgrounds to more than $3 million since Kenoi took office in 2008.
In her remarks, Eoff called playgrounds special places. Not only do such areas provide endless fun and enjoyment, she said they teach keiki how to socialize and be better people. Both Eoff and Kanuha also described playgrounds as important investments and being vital to communities because they are safe, healthy environments that can be enjoyed by people of all ages.
When Katherine and Kele Kaono moved about two years ago from Oahu to Kailua-Kona, the Kailua Park Playground was the first place they took their children — 3-year-old Keeaola and 6-year-old Kalama. Here, they met friends and got involved with the Home Instruction for Parents of Preschool Youngsters, or HIPPY, program. The family comes to the playground regularly and was overjoyed by the end result.
“It’s great,” Kalama said. “I like how it’s painted and there’s new stuff for swinging, sliding and climbing. Kids need places like this. It’s so they can exercise outside and make friends. I like this playground so much. There’s lots I want to go do.”
