Work should begin in a couple of months.

Commonly called Sticker Park for its pokey grass, the 4.2 acres of land was deeded to the residents in the early 1990s by Kamehameha Schools.

For more than a decade, the association has been trying to bring water to the park, only to be stymied by the high cost. A water meter is expected to cost about $35,000 and an irrigation system an additional $40,000.

In the meantime, residents who live along the park's edges have dragged garden hoses across the street to water the park and shade trees that were planted recently around its perimeter.

"I see the neighborhood kids playing in the park every day and feel bad for them because the park is dry and full of stickers," said Jim Tilley, who made the donation to the nonprofit association. "Most people don't even know the park's real name."

Tilley, president of Star Protection Agency, a company that provides security services for shopping centers, office buildings, condominiums and resort complexes, said the park is well used and would benefit from having an irrigation system.

"We're hoping to have it green by midsummer," Tilley said. "The park provides a place for kids to play, rather than hanging out at the shopping center, where they will get into trouble."

Jason Bellamy, a member of the park association, said the donation was a positive step for the group.

"It's a substantial contribution," Bellamy said. "It will pay for a substantial portion of our irrigation costs."

Until receiving the donation, the park association had pushed the city to waive the cost of installing a water meter. Their argument was that it was in the best interest of the community at large for the park to be well-irrigated. But city officials said new users must pay their fair share of the impact on the water system.

The other option for the association was to deed the park over to the city, but members decided against that.