Honolulu Reporter

O‘AHU – Following strong public support for proposed upkeep and operational changes at the Patsy T. Mink Central O‘ahu Regional park baseball and softball fields, the Honolulu Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) will begin a summer field maintenance program in June and allow permits for practice events in September. These permit requests may be submitted beginning August 1, 2023.

The summer field maintenance program involves a three-month closure for two of the 12 ball fields from June through August, providing the fields an opportunity to “rest” while park staff revitalize them with aeration, weeding, leveling, grassing, and other rehabilitation efforts. Summer is an ideal season for grass growth.

This proposal is initially intended to last six years, beginning in June 2023 with Adult Baseball Field 3 and Youth Baseball Field 2. The success of the program will determine whether the proposed annual maintenance program will continue or be curtailed beyond 2028.

Last January, DPR launched a community survey to gauge public sentiment regarding the robust field maintenance program, with the overall response showing favorable input for the plan. To read a full copy of the summer field maintenance program click here or visit: bit.ly/MaintainCORP

During the survey, many of the field users recommended allowing permitted use of the popular diamond-shaped fields for practice. Previously, DPR denied practice permits at this location in order to give priority to games and tournaments. However, that policy will change this summer as DPR will allow organizations to begin submitting permit requests for practice-use of these fields in August, for practices starting in September. Permits are issued on a first-come-first-served basis, with some fields remaining designated for game use to preserve their condition for competition.

We appreciate all of the park users who took the time and effort to share their mana‘o with DPR staff during this public input process.

Opened in 2001, this 267-acre park is one of DPR’s largest and most premier park locations. In addition to the dozen ball diamonds, it also houses the: K. Mark Takai Veterans Memorial Aquatics Center, the 20-court Jarand M. W. Iwase Tennis Complex, an 12,800 square foot off-leash dog park, a 20-lane archery range, several playgrounds, bathrooms, and multi-purpose fields all encompassed by a walking path.

It is named after the late Patsy T. Mink; the first wahine Congressmember representing Hawai‘i, the first woman of color & first Asian-American in the U.S. House of Representatives (to name a few of her many accolades). Amongst her many accomplishments, Mink is recognized as a visionary leader and major author of Title IX Law, ensuring equality in educational opportunities and scholastics sport activities.

If you need an auxiliary aid/service, other accommodations due to a disability, or an interpreter for a language other than English in reference to this announcement, please contact the Honolulu Department of Parks and Recreation at (808) 768-3003 on weekdays from 7:45 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. or email parks@honolulu.gov at least three business days before the scheduled event. Without sufficient advanced notice, it may not be possible to fulfill requests.

Original source can be found here.