LIHU‘E — The current Parks and Recreation Master Plan, released in 1978, is going through a major revision. On Wednesday the administration presented to the Kaua‘i County Council its progress in preparing a draft for a much awaited new master
LIHU‘E — The current Parks and Recreation Master Plan, released in 1978, is going through a major revision. On Wednesday the administration presented to the Kaua‘i County Council its progress in preparing a draft for a much awaited new master plan.
“Can you imagine watching a play or a concert and get the beautiful ocean in the background?” Parks and Recreation Director Lenny Rapozo asked council members, unveiling plans for an amphitheater in Kapa‘a Town Park. “Maybe you can watch a Shakespeare play by the Kapa‘a High School students.”
The open-air theater was just one of the numerous proposals put together by the administration with the help of nearly 300 responses to a user survey and after two rounds of community meetings in five locations islandwide, site investigations, staff recommendations and input from a planning consultant and an advisory committee.
“We are right about this portion here, we are preparing a Draft Master Plan,” said Rapozo, explaining that the draft will include an order of magnitude of costs, a priority list and recommendations on other issues.
Other proposed improvements include expanding Hanalei Black Pot Beach Park, fixing Kilauea, Kalaheo and Kaumakani gyms, improving Anahola Hawaiian Homes Park, adding a pavilion to Kapahi, Peter Rayno and Hanalei Pavilion parks, relocating Kapa‘a swimming pool to Kapa‘a New Town Park and building a new neighborhood center there, developing two soccer fields by the Kapa‘a Armory, developing a youth golf course in Wailua, adding a new tennis complex, multi-purpose gym and a swimming center or a 10,000 seat pavilion to Vidinha Stadium, building a canoe hale at Kukui‘ula Harbor and Lucy Wright parks, expanding Po‘ipu Beach Park, revamping Westside’s many parks, improving Waimea Swimming Pool and building skate parks in Kekaha, Hanapepe and Lihu‘e, among many other improvements islandwide.
Those proposals were put together after examining community needs and interests, land availability and potential acquisition, and also taking in consideration if a given proposal was within the scope of the department, according to Rapozo.
The majority of those who responded the user survey said maintaining and improving existing parks was a top priority, followed by acquiring land for new parks and developing multi-use paths.
Choosing from a list of 16 priorities for additional recreational facilities, residents islandwide chose walking and biking paths as number one, followed by picnic facilities and pavilions and recreation beaches. Skate parks was right in the middle, as number eight priority, and football fields was the last priority in the list.
Despite being in the middle of the priority list islandwide, skate parks was a top priority in Kawaihau District, along with indoor gyms, and second priority in Lihu‘e District.
Children’s playgrounds came up fifth overall, followed by camping facilities in sixth and dog parks in seventh.
The council approved funds in 2009 for the master plan update. After the draft is ready, there will be a third round of public informational meetings islandwide before a final and revised plan is released.
Visit www.kauaiparks.com to view proposals and for more information.
Additional public consultation is ongoing until April 20. Comments can be dropped off at any county neighborhood center or at Lihu‘e Civic Center, either at the Parks and Recreation at Mo‘ikeha Building, Room 105, or at the Camping Permit window at Pi‘ikoi Building.
• Léo Azambuja, staff writer, can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 252) or lazambuja@ thegardenisland.com.
