Setback to comeback: Wahiawa playground reopens with community support
WAHIAWA, Hawaii (KHON2) — The Wahiawa community came together to rebuild a beloved playground in just a few weeks.
The slides are back and so are the smiles after the community repaired the playground after an intentionally-set fire reduced the previous playground to a burnt shell.
Scrapped to saved: Burnt playground to be replaced in Wahiawa
“I was really worried about it at the very beginning of the project, because we’ve never done anything like this. Taking an old playground, relocating it, kind of redesigning it and doing it with community support,” said Danielle Sagum, InspiredPlay Hawaii partner.
The rebuilt structure was once headed for demolition but InspiredPlay Hawaii stepped in and repurposed the equipment to get it to Wahiawa with the help of local hands. Parents, keiki, neighbors and volunteers of all ages showed up.
“It was parents. It was kids. It was the entire Wahiawa community, as well as so many others that it was really beautiful,” Sagum said.
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The city said the investigation into the arson is still ongoing and no arrests have been made. Cameras are installed at Wahiawa District Park and Councilmember Matt Weyer is hopeful they will deter similar crimes in the future.
“Looking at particular areas where maybe there are city assets where it makes sense to have, you know, a little bit more protection to de-incentivize or discourage people from doing illicit activity and just helping people feel safe,” Weyer said.
Officials said there was heartbreak when the previous structure burnt down, but the community is resilient and where there is a will, there is a way.
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“Over $52,000 in donations they gave to this playground right here, not to mention the manpower, coordinating the volunteers, and really just getting everyone excited about having a new playground here at Wahiawa,” Honolulu Department of Parks and Recreation spokesman Nate Serota said.
The city said it is more than just a new playground, it is a reminder of how strong the community is — it is already paying off with laughter and joyous screams.
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“Couldn’t be better, right? Perfect ending to a week. And just seeing them out enjoying the city space, that really is, like I said, a community space and I think really that’s what a lot of our work is about, right? It’s making sure that everyone’s can feel uplifted,” Weyer said.
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