WAIMANALO — After a month of closure, Bellows Beach Park reopened yesterday with a visible police presence and new restrictions for day users and campers.

Notable changes such as no-parking tow-away zones were apparent at the popular campground that was fully booked, with all 50 camp sites taken and dozens of families enjoying the long holiday weekend.

"I like the new rules," said Maria Abbatiello of Hawai'i Kai. "Now it will be more quiet. It will be cleaner and safer for the kids. We've come here before when they had big fights because they're all drunk."

Honolulu police arrived before the noon opening and the city's Department of Parks and Recreation set up an information center at the lifeguard station. A military police officer was at the main entrance to the base, which in the past was usually deserted when the park opened to the public on Friday afternoons. Park personnel were visiting campsites, checking permits and explaining the new rules.

"This month is more like education for the public," said police officer Keoki LaRosa. "Let them know there's zero tolerance with the alcohol and the parking."

Randall Yokota, a camper, said the rules are not all new but he's looking forward to them being enforced, especially the one about not driving on the beach.

"Its hard to take the kids sand crabbing at night when you see guys four-wheeling on the beach," Yokota said.

Kane'ohe Marine Corps Base Commander Col. Robert Rice closed the camp ground for the month of June following an unruly Memorial Day weekend at Bellows.

The Marines said campers were putting others at risk and destroying the environment with their drug use, fights, large camp fires, trash dumping, off-roading on the beach, alcohol use and vehicle break-ins.

Maj. Alan Crouch, Marine spokesman, said campers and day users have adjusted well to the new situation and accepted the new restrictions. The signs clearly state the rules and enforcement can be expected, Crouch said.

"Marines, HPD and Air Force security are working together to ensure people know and follow the rules," he said.

The camp sites are part of a Marine training area and the city has had a lease for about 20 years to permit camping on weekends only.

Some residents, however, have been calling for the return of unused land at Bellows, and the closure added fuel to a simmering debate.

The city was given a month to address the problems. It cleaned the park, created new rules, put up signs and designated parking areas.

The new rules, which are now posted at the beach, include the park closing from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. and a requirement that campers remain in the designated camping area from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m.

Honolulu and military police using all-terrain vehicles were patrolling the area and beach yesterday afternoon.

"This is the mildest I've ever seen this," said Jacob Purdy, with the city Department of Parks and Recreation, who worked at the park for more than a decade. "Everybody is so calm."