HONOLULU – Gov. Linda Lingle has released $1.25 million for new restrooms and accessibility improvements at MacKenzie State Park on the Big Island.

The project is part of a multiyear initiative undertaken by the Department of Land and Natural Resources to repair, replace or improve facilities at state parks, the first such comprehensive effort in 40 years.

The park's current rest-rooms use a pit system that was installed more than 40 years ago and needs to be replaced. In addition, there are no paved walkways providing access to the park's picnic pavilion or restrooms. Project funds will be used to replace the restrooms' cesspool with a new composting treatment system and for improvements to the parking area, pavilion and pathways that will make the park more easily accessible to all visitors.

Design completion is scheduled for December 2008, to be followed by bid solicitations, awarding of the contract, material orders and the scheduling of work crews. Construction is scheduled to begin in October 2009 and be completed by October 2010.