Chain of Parks in Honolulu

Manawatu Times, Volume 63, Issue 181, 3 August 1938, Page 13

Chain of Parks in Honolulu

HONOLULU—New theories concerning the plan and purpose of public parks are finding practical expression in Honolulu.

Under the supervision of a park board, a non-political branch of the City Government, Honolulu is in the process of acquiring a system of parks designed to meet the immediate recreational needs of the community and to anticipate the pattern of city growth. That the city's parks are assuming an increasingly vital role iu community life is evident from a recent report by the Park Board. Approximately 1,000,000 children and adults, according to the report, used the City’s parks and playgrounds during 1937; as compared with the 25,000 persons estimated to have made use of these facilities in 1925.

la planning improvements the Park Board has attempted to visualize the needs of the community as a whole, taking into account specific characteristics and requirements of individual districts, including rural areas. Sixty-six parks and playgrounds, comprising more than 1,855 acres, are under the Board’s supervision. Of these, 48, comprising 423 acres, are within the city area. Eighteen parks, comprising 1,423 acres, are in rural districts on the less densely inhabited portion of the Island of Oahu, all of which is included within the far-reaching City limits of Honolulu. Each year, by mandate from the Territorial Legislature, the Park Board receives 250,000 dollars for park and playground maintenance. During recent years some of these funds have been used for capital improvements. New projects are based upon the theory that to be a permanent asset tc the community, a park must be built from the ground up. If the park is tc have a permanent, deep-rooted boauty, it must bo constructed on carefully prepared ground, properly filled, drained .nd surfaced.

These theories and practices are o-day finding expression in what is to ate Honolulu's most ambitious project

the Ala Moana Park, which includes ap proximately 80 acres of reclaimed land ■ bordering the oceau between the city 'centre and the hotel and Waikiki beach resort district. A channel has been dredged through the reef along the shore to provide boating and swimming facilitiea Tennis courts, pavilions, gardens and 'acres of lawn have been developed on (what was formerly swamp and mars! land. I By concerted effort and study, in I collaboration with civic, educational and recreational authorities, the Park

Board hopes to carry the Ala Moana project through to completion within a decade.