Release: CHILDREN’S PLAYGROUND IN KOLOWALU PARK CLOSED FOR UPGRADE

Posted on Aug 15, 2024 in Main

CHILDREN’S PLAYGROUND IN KOLOWALU PARK CLOSED FOR UPGRADE


Artist rendering of Kolowalu Park children’s playground upgrade.

HONOLULU – On August 20, temporary fencing will go up around the children’s playground at Kolowalu Park and the area will be closed, in preparation for a new state-of-the-art playground design that will be installed to serve a greater range of ages and abilities.

“Kolowalu Park is well used by the community and we are very excited to be able to upgrade the children’s playground in this thriving live, work, play neighborhood,” said executive director Craig Nakamoto. “Play is an essential part of a healthy and balanced life and we are transforming the playground to add spaces for younger children, creating opportunities for them to use their imagination, discover and learn social skills while having fun outside in the fresh air. The new equipment has also been thoughtfully selected to be more inclusive, allowing kids of all abilities to interact and play together.”

The existing children’s playground structure will be dismantled and donated for use by the City and County of Honolulu. The playground area will then be cleared, including the landscaping, and resurfaced with new safety turf installed under the high-quality playground equipment.

HCDA recently installed new adult fitness equipment, picnic tables and benches on the makai side of the park, has been working to complete a new dog park on the mauka side of Queen Street, and a new crosswalk and traffic island that connects the mauka and makai sides of the park.  These improvements were made possible through funding from the Hawai‘i State Legislature.

“To track the progress of the new playground follow us on social media,” said Nakamoto.  “We expect the upgrades to be completed in late October.”

Built in 2010, Kolowalu Park is owned and operated by the Hawai‘i Community Development Authority (HCDA). Located at 1141 Waimanu Street in Kaka‘ako, the 2.3-acre park straddles a portion of Queen Street between Kamake‘e and Waimanu Streets.

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Map of the construction area in Kolowalu Park, that will be enclosed with temporary construction fencing while the playground is under renovation.

The current children’s playground equipment was installed in 2010 when the park was built.

An artist’s rendering of the new state-of-the-art playground upgrade proposed for Kolowalu Park.

New fitness equipment for ages 13 and over was installed on the makai side of the park.

Three new picnic tables with seating were installed near trees, and ten new benches around the playground, in 2024.

Media Contact:
Francine Murray
Community Outreach Officer
Hawaiʻi Community Development Authority
808-594-0300