Work on the rock walls near the bathrooms is well underway Monday, March 23. More volunteer masons and carpenters are needed. (Photos courtesy of Cliff Kopp)

Karin Stanton/Hawaii247.com Contributing Editor

Kamakana Children’s Playground renovations are on schedule a week into the project, but mason and carpenter volunteers still are needed.

Cliff Kopp, community project manager, said he has been pleased with the progress and is grateful to the local companies that have contributed equipment and manpower.

However, work is in danger of stalling unless volunteers step forward to help complete the rock walls and fencing.

“We definitely need people who can handle basic carpentry,” he said.

The artwork engraved in the wooden fence has been restored.

Kopp said he already has the promise of help for the rock walls this week, but can always use some extra hands that have masonry and carpentry skills.

“We have 22 yards of concrete to pour,” he said, creating handicap parking spaces, a walkway to the restrooms and a pad for a second pavilion.

The two pavilions are the featured structures in a 1,200-square-foot teaching garden, which will include native plants and stone statuary.

“We’ve finished powerwashing all of the wood structures and have begun wood sealing,” Kopp said.

The wooden fence edging along the upper level of the playground was refurbished by Drug Court participants who got credit for community service hours.

“It’s fabulous. You couldn’t even see the artwork before,” Kopp said. “This was all thanks to the Drug Court people. It’s 100 percent them.”

Another highlight, Kopp said, will be a senior corner, with two regulation horse shoe courts and three stone tables with tile chess board.

That will be welcome news for West Hawaii’s seniors and the Kona Chess Club. (For chess info, e-mail konachessclub@hotmail.com)

Images of Hawaiiana are once again visible along the wooden fencing.

 

“We’re tiling the chess boards right into the rock tables,” Kopp said. “It’ll be just spectacular.”

The project is slated for completion May 12, but won’t get done unless the community does it’s part.

So if you have a few free hours or if you can convince your boss it’s a really good use of your time, head on up to Higashihara Park any day between 7:30 a.m. and 4 p.m.

If you have something to offer, call Kopp at 989-7072 or e-mail kamakanaplayground@hawaii.rr.com.

 

 

Kamakana Children’s Playground, at Harold H. Higashihara County Park, was built with donated land, labor and materials more than a decade ago. The playground, however, had fallen into disrepair.

The renovations will keep the retain the park’s atmosphere and also bring it into compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act.