Mililani park won't open till grass grows in

By Scott Ishikawa
Advertiser Central OÎahu Writer

MILILANI — The new Mililani Mauka District Park will be open for public use sometime next month — after city officials literally watch the grass grow there first.

City spokeswoman Carol Costa said the grass at the 16-acre park off Ukuwai Street needs to take root before they can open it for use.

"The grass needs to be strong enough to handle the constant foot traffic," Costa said.

Mililani Mauka developer Castle & Cooke Homes Hawai'i Inc. in October handed over the 16-acre park — next to the Mililani Mauka park-and-ride and Cornerstone Fellowship Mililani Mauka Church — as part of its agreement to develop the area.

But the infrastructure to go along with the grass fields will come later. When fully equipped, the park will have two youth baseball/softball fields, one regular-size baseball field, comfort station, gymnasium and outdoor play courts.

The city budget for fiscal year 2002 includes $200,000 for planning and design, and $100,000 for construction of the baseball/softball fields and backstop.

The administration's proposed budget for fiscal year 2003 will have $400,000 for design and $5 million for construction for the outdoor courts and gymnasium.

Initial plans for a 50-meter swimming pool to be housed at the Mililani Mauka District Park have been shelved for a similar-sized pool at nearby Mililani District Park.

Costa said the Mililani Mauka playing field, when ready next month, will be open for pick-up soccer games and other activities. Organized sports leagues will be scheduled there later in the year.

Reach Scott Ishikawa at sishikawa@honoluluadvertiser.com or 535-2429.