LYDGATE — Construction on the county’s new Kamalani Inclusive Playground began this week, according to the county Department of Parks and Recreation.
The playground is designed for keiki with developmental disabilities, Mayor Derek Kawakami said.
“This playground project is among my administration’s top priorities,” Kawakami said in a release. “Mahalo to the Department of Parks and Recreation, Friends of Kamalani, the Leadership Kaua‘i Class of 2022, and everyone involved to make this playground a reality for our children.”
The playground’s design addresses physical, social, emotional, sensory, communication and cognitive activities children with developmental disabilities encounter. The playground will also include swinging, spinning, sliding, climbing, and balancing equipment.
“Leadership Kaua‘i’s class of 2022 is excited to support the development of a project rooted in the community, initiated by the parents of children in search of inclusion and representation of all abilities, and enacted by a government willing to listen,” said Shana Marie Cruz of Leadership Kaua‘i’s class of 2022. “This project is very intimate to me and my family, being we have two special needs children. It is inspirational and breathtaking, that from a vision, a suggestion, and an idea from meeting with the Mayor two years ago and now construction will be taking place!”
Inspired Play LLC contracts the $400,000 project allocated from the General Fund, Capital Improvements Projects Fund, and the Lihu‘e District Special Trust Fund for Parks & Playgrounds Fund.
The estimated completion of the playground is spring 2022.
“Thank you to the Department of Parks and Recreation, the Mayor’s Office, Leadership Kaua‘i, and all the volunteers and stakeholders for bringing this project to fruition for our children with special needs,” said Tommy Noyes, General Coordinator, the Friends of Kamalani and Lydgate Park.
