Kawananakoa Playground

Kawananakoa Playground (opened 1937) was one of several Oahu parks designed by architect Harry Sims Bent and constructed during the Great Depression of the 1930s as part of the national playground movement and possibly Roosevelt's New Deal program.

If you look at the site closely, you will notice the perimeter wall design and sandstone (?) paving remnants are similar to those at other parks designed by Bent (e.g, Ala Moana Park). Bent designed his park features to utilize readily available materials and unskilled labor to minimize cost.

The park features open space, a basketball court, and baseball diamond. The "Father of Modern Baseball" Alexander Cartwright rests at Oahu Cemetery nearby, and Lili'uokalani Botanical Garden is one block away on Kuakini St.

Unfortunately, Kawananakoa Playground is a little neglected.