Mayor Billy Kenoi, Councilwoman Valerie Poindexter and Councilman-Elect Tim Richards joined the Waimea community on Monday, Nov. 28, to celebrate the completion of the 24-acre Waimea District Park.
The new park offers diversified indoor and outdoor recreational facilities for keiki, kūpuna and families in North Hawai‘i.
The first phase includes a covered play court building with three courts, a multi‐purpose field with spectator seating and lighting for nighttime use, a playground and parking.
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The park is adjacent to the Parker Ranch rodeo arena, accessed off Ala ʻŌhiʻa.
“These facilities are the heart of our communities,” said Councilwoman Valerie Poindexter. “This is where our kids come and grow up. This is where families build relationships.”
Land for the project was provided by Parker Ranch to fulfill prior rezoning commitments made to Hawai‘i County. Through the efforts of the legislature spearheaded by Sen. Mālama Solomon, the state provided $5.5 million toward the project. The county provided the remaining $18.5 million of the $24 million project.
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Mel Macy of the Waimea District Park Builders, a community group that advocated for the construction of the park, credited Mayor Kenoi with pushing the project to the finish line.
“From the time he took office, we had his full support,” said Macy. “Not only was he responsible for the majority of the funding, but his get-it-done attitude helped keep things moving forward.”
In the park’s environmental documents, the first phase of the park was contemplated to be completed in 2020. By working in concert with Parker Ranch and the Waimea community, ground was broken for the park in November 2015. General contractor Nan Inc. and a number of subcontractors completed the work in a year.
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“We all know we live in a special place, and it isn’t just about facilities,” said Mayor Kenoi. “This is for family. This isn’t only for our kids. Our kūpuna will have yoga and Zumba in here. When we adults stand on the sideline to wait for our kids to finish a game or practice, that’s when we strengthen our community.”
The next planned phase will include a community center, a comfort station and a baseball field.
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