Hawai‘i residents are currently invited to take a survey about the current condition of state parks, future recreation and facilities developments, as well as the protection of cultural sites. It's an opportunity to impact how our recreational spaces will develop in the next five years.
The survey is one aspect of the Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan, a plan prepared by the Department of Land and Natural Resources about every five years to identify recreational needs and trends across the islands.
Every state completes a SCORP to receive grants from the Land and Water Conservation Fund, said Curt Cottrell, parks administrator for the DLNR. The LWCF is a federal grant program administered by the National Park Service that assists local governments with recreational lands and facilities.
Cottrell said the process also allows them to collect data and learn from the public about everything related to outdoor recreation and, specific to Hawai‘i, tourism trends.
"We try to bundle it up and make some informed decisions on what we're going to do in the next five years," he said. "Ideally, we program the federal fund request in some manner to reflect the public's emerging needs."
He said a key topic will be balancing the protection of places that have cultural significance with supplying a recreational product to placate the tourist industry. Other trends on his radar include a desire for motorized recreation spaces, baseball fields, and drone operation.
In addition to the survey, there are virtual general and island-specific meetings where the community can share their needs, thoughts, and issues with the department. The next meeting is specific to Moloka‘i on Thursday, April 15.
Since 1966, Hawai?i and its counties have received more than $38 million through 148 LWCF grants, which has benefitted over 400 acres of recreation land, according to the DLNR.
Past renovations funded by LWCF grants include the West Maui Skate Park at Lahaina Recreation Center, ‘Ewa Mahiko Park on O‘ahu, and the Hilo Bayfront Trails.
Click here to read the 2015 SCORP.
