A new playground is finally on the way for Lahaina families, nearly three years after the town’s deadly wildfires put the project on hold. County officials broke ground Thursday on the $2.4 million project, which is expected to be finished in fall 2027 and is being designed as a major gathering space for West Maui children and parents.
Twelve dignitaries joined county officials, project partners and residents for the groundbreaking and blessing ceremony. Mayor Richard Bissen said the project will help bring back “children’s laughter” to Lahaina, while County Parks and Recreation Director Patrick McCall said the design reflects years of community input, according to Maui Now.
A Long-Delayed Rebuild Takes Shape
The project has been a long time coming. Lahaina’s existing playground was closed in June 2023 after county officials determined that its badly worn surface could not be repaired, with large cracks and missing sections creating safety concerns, as reported by The Maui News.
The replacement effort was later paused following the August 2023 wildfires and restarted in 2024. Community meetings held in February and May 2025 helped shape the new plans, including a request from parents and caregivers for more shaded space, Maui Now reported.
New Playground Will Emphasize Shade And Accessibility
The playground will include separate areas for children ages 2 to 5 and 5 to 12, ADA-accessible pathways, family seating, an inclusive playscape, an adaptive swing set and a gate for younger children. The County of Maui says the age-specific areas will include slides, climbers, play panels, steppers, poles and chinning bars, with comparable elements incorporated for children with special needs.
Three shade structures are planned, including one measuring 60 by 90 feet and another measuring 50 by 60 feet. The county says the finished playground will have the largest shaded area of any County Department of Parks and Recreation park, according to the County of Maui.
The project is part of a broader playground rollout across Maui County. New or upgraded playgrounds with shade structures are also planned for Kelawea Mauka Park and Pau Nau Park, while Eddie Tam Memorial Center, Kahului Park and Hale Piʻilani Park are also slated for new playgrounds by the end of summer 2027, the County of Maui says.
The Lahaina Recreation Center itself sits on more than nine acres and already serves local sports teams with softball and Little League fields, basketball courts, a soccer field, picnic areas and other amenities, according to the County facility listing. The new playground will add a long-awaited place for younger residents to play while the wider West Maui recovery continues.
