New Keiki Playground Opening August 17 at Mauna Kea Recreation Area

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JNt-4 OF William P. Kenoi Mayor r -� •e *rE OF Hf� Countp of'abnai`i DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION 101 Pauahi Street, Suite 6 • Hilo, Hawaii 96720 (808) 961-8311 • Fax (808) 961-8411 http://www.hawaiicounty.aov/parks-and-recreation/ NEWS RELEASE August 10, 2015 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Clayton S. Houma Director Kenneth J. Van Bergen Deputy Director New Keiki Playground Opening August 17 at Mauna Kea Recreation Area Hawaii County Mayor Billy Kenoi, County Councilman Aaron Chung, and the Department of Parks and Recreation invite the public to a dedication ceremony commemorating the opening of a unique keiki playground at Mauna Kea Recreation Area. It will be held at 10 a.m. Monday, August 17, at the park located near the 34 -mile marker of the Daniel K. Inouye Highway, also known as Saddle Road. Join Mayor Kenoi, Councilman Chung, and other dignitaries as they open the newest attraction at the increasingly popular park. Light refreshments will be served. 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. Hawaii 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, Hawaii 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. For more information, please contact Jason Armstrong, Public Information Officer, at 961-8311 or jarmstronq(c�hawaiicounty.gov. County of Hawaii is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer.