Volunteers sought to clean up Morgan’s Ponds

WAILUA — The County of Kaua‘i Department of Parks and Recreation opened Lydgate Beach Park and the Kamalani Playground area to the public on Thursday.

“Lydgate Beach Park has been closed due to safety concerns since April 12 following the flood event,” said Patrick Porter, the Department of Parks and Recreation director. “The Department of Health officials have deemed the area safe after it was cleaned and maintained by the county crews.”

What is not open is the Morgan’s Ponds area that remains closed until further notice. The Friends of Kamalani will be conducting beach cleanup activities in the Morgan’s Ponds area through the weekend, Porter said.

Thomas Noyes of the Friends of Kamalani and Lydgate Park is spearheading a cleanup effort to hasten the reopening of the popular swimming area on Saturday.

“We would like to see about 150 to 200 people,” Noyes said. “The roll-off is in place, and the more people we have, the quicker the work will be done.”

Volunteers and groups are asked to meet near the lifeguard tower starting at 7:30 a.m. on Saturday. Volunteers are asked to bring their own sunscreen, water container and dress appropriately for safety.

“On a scale of 1 to 10, this accumulation would be about a 4, or 5,” Noyes said, “But it’s still a job that might take three or four days.”

He said volunteers can also expect snacks and opportunities for prize giveaways for items that were donated for the Earth Day activity that was canceled due to the rain event that closed the park.