The new playground at the Hawaii County-managed Mauna Kea Recreation Area, photo courtesy Hawaii Co. Parks & Rec

MAUNA KEA – A dedication ceremony for a unique keiki playground will take place at the Mauna Kea Recreation Area at 10 a.m. Monday, August 17th.

Hawaii County Mayor Billy Kenoi, County Councilman Aaron Chung, and the Department of Parks and Recreation extended a public invitation to to attend the playground opening via this media release:

General contractor Site Engineering Inc., with assistance from Takamine Construction Inc., built the 3,700-square-foot playground. Designed for keiki 5 to 12 years old, the playground emphasizes climbing skills through the use of ropes, rails and ladders rather than conventional features to challenge children’s physical abilities and promote interactive fun. A synthetic turf covering a padded layer provides an attractive safety surface that also ensures the playground is accessible to people with physical or mobility challenges.

Hawai‘i County has invested more than $4 million building new playgrounds around the island since Mayor Kenoi took office in December 2008. Additional playground construction is planned in the near future.

Since assuming stewardship of the former State park on July 1, 2014, Hawai‘i County has opened new restrooms, paved the parking area, created a picnic area, installed lighted flag poles, landscaped the area, and hired security at the renamed Mauna Kea Recreation Area.