The Lahaina Recreation Center playground at 245 Shaw St. is scheduled to be replaced with a new, inclusive play area as part of a $2.4 million project. The public is invited to a groundbreaking ceremony at 1 p.m. July 30. Photo courtesy Maui County

The public is invited to attend a groundbreaking ceremony for the Lahaina Recreation Center Playground at 1 p.m. July 30.

The new playground at 245 Shaw St. will feature the largest shaded play area of any Maui County park, according to the county.

Mayor Richard Bissen will speak following opening remarks by Parks and Recreation Director Patrick McCall. County Director of ʻŌiwi Resources Kaponoʻai Molitau will bless the site, and Maui County Council Member Tamara Paltin, who holds the West Maui residency seat, will offer closing remarks.

The playground will include ADA-accessible pathways, a playscape, family seating and separate play areas for children ages 2-5 and 5-12, along with an adaptive swing set and a kiddie gate.

Each play area will include slides, climbers, play panels, steppers, poles and chinning bars, along with comparable features designed for children with disabilities to create an inclusive play environment.

A rendering shows the planned inclusive playscape for the new Lahaina Recreation Center Playground, which will include ADA-accessible pathways, adaptive play features, family seating and the largest shaded play area in any Maui County park. Photo courtesy Maui County

Three shade structures are planned, including one measuring 60 by 90 feet, another measuring 50 by 60 feet and a 45-by-15-foot structure over the swing area.

McCall said the project reflects the West Maui community’s vision and input over the past three years. Shaped by input from the West Maui community, the $2.4 million project is expected to be completed in fall 2027.

“Families in Lahaina have shared how important it is to restore safe, welcoming spaces where children can play and neighbors can gather,” Bissen said. “As Lahaina continues to recover, projects like this help rebuild not only our parks, but also the sense of community that makes West Maui so special.”

The project team includes Blazy Construction, Bowers + Kubota Consulting and Fukumoto Engineering.

Additional shaded playgrounds are planned at Kelawea Mauka and Pau Nau Park in West Maui. New playgrounds also are planned for Eddie Tam Memorial Center in Upcountry, Kahului Park in Central Maui and Hale Piʻilani Park in Kihei, with construction expected to be completed by the end of summer 2027.