Construction at bayfront park aimed at improving accessibility

Construction to improve accessibility at the parking lot at Hilo Bayfront Beach Park will be ongoing through next March.

The park’s comfort station and part of the parking lot will temporarily be closed for the necessary improvements, which are being made to comply with Americans with Disabilities Act standards.

The goal of the project is to provide three separate “pods” of accessible parking that will total 18 stalls, according to James Komata, deputy director of the county Parks and Recreation Department.

The project also will add an accessible route that links the sidewalk along Kamehameha Avenue through the site, tying in with each pod of accessible parking, and then to the comfort station.

The route will connect to the current terminus of the Hilo Bayfront Trails multipurpose path, according to Komata.

The $538,400 accessibility project is on schedule and should be completed in March 2021.

Construction of a separate project with the same goal of improving accessibility is ongoing at Mo‘oheau Park as well.

That construction is less intrusive and will be less expensive, costing $184,881.

Accessibility improvements at Mo‘oheau Park should be completed in December, according to Komata.

Komata is confident the projects will improve the bayfront area for all users.

“In both projects, none of the pre-existing park uses are adversely affected,” Komata said. “All persons benefit, either directly or indirectly, from these accessibility improvements through the creation of defined, safe paths of travel for themselves, their friends and their loved ones.”

The parks will remain open during the improvements. People parking near the construction should use caution when navigating the area. Portable toilets are available while the comfort station remains closed.

Email Kelsey Walling at kwalling@hawaiitribune-herald.com