SR 42: URGING the COUNTIES of the state TO INSTALL a minimum set of ACCESSIBLE RECREATIONAL PLAYGROUND EQUIPMENT IN each playground located in a county park and to establish comprehensive maintenance plans that ensure the long-term safety, cleanliness, and functionality of each playground.

SENATE RESOLUTION

URGING the COUNTIES of the state TO INSTALL a minimum set of ACCESSIBLE RECREATIONAL PLAYGROUND EQUIPMENT IN each playground located in a county park and to establish comprehensive maintenance plans that ensure the long-term safety, cleanliness, and functionality of each playground.

     WHEREAS, playgrounds and free play provide many benefits to child development, youth, and communities; and

     WHEREAS, accessible playgrounds for young people promote physical activity, encourage their imagination, boost their self-confidence and energy, and offer opportunities for formative social interactions; and

WHEREAS, there is a segment of the State's youth with disabilities that are unable to use some playgrounds located on county property; and

     WHEREAS, the Legislature is committed to enhancing the inclusion of youth with physical, developmental, or intellectual disabilities in important socialization activities, including activities that occur at a playground; now, therefore,

     BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Thirty-third Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2025, that the counties of the State are urged to install a minimal set of accessible recreational playground equipment in each playground located in a county park and establish comprehensive maintenance plans that ensure the long-term safety, cleanliness, and functionality of each playground; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the minimal set of accessible recreational playground equipment is requested to include a wheelchair accessible swing set; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that all accessible recreational playground equipment installed in county parks comply with the standards set forth in the 2010 Americans with Disabilities Act Standards for Accessible Design, or any successor or similar guidelines or standards governing accessibility standards for public facilities; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the comprehensive maintenance plans requested to be established by the respective counties include the following key components:

     (1)  Regular Inspections:  Conduct weekly or monthly inspections to assess the condition of equipment, surfacing, and amenities and identify potential hazards and maintain detailed logs of inspections;

     (2)  Preventive Maintenance:  Schedule routine maintenance and ensure safety surfacing remains intact and properly leveled;

     (3)  Cleaning and Sanitation:  Implement a regular cleaning schedule to remove debris, sanitize equipment, and empty trash receptacles, and ensure playgrounds are well‑lit to deter illicit behavior and illegal activity, creating a safe environment;

     (4)  Accessibility Assurance:  Ensure adequate accessibility for persons with physical, developmental, or intellectual disabilities;

     (5)  Emergency Repairs:  Establish a rapid response system for reported damages and to mitigate issues; and

     (6)  Community Engagements:  Work with the communities to establish a neighborhood security watch or volunteer patrol; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Department of Education and the Department of Accounting and General Services are requested to convene a working group that includes the counties to create an inventory of all existing and planned state and county playgrounds; identify different types of accessible recreational playground equipment, and the cost to purchase, install, and maintain such equipment; and provide recommendations for how the State and counties should add accessible recreational playground equipment into their existing or future playgrounds; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Resolution be transmitted to the Comptroller, Superintendent of Education, and Mayor and Chairperson of each County Council of each county in the State.

Report Title: 

Counties; Accessible Recreational Playground Equipment; County Parks; Comprehensive Maintenance Plan; DOE; DAGS; Working Group

SENATE RESOLUTION

URGING COUNTIES TO INSTALL SPECIAL NEEDS RECREATIONAL PLAYGROUND EQUIPMENT IN PARK PLAYGROUNDS.

     WHEREAS, playgrounds and free play provide many benefits to child development, youth, and communities; and

     WHEREAS, accessible playgrounds for young people promote physical activity, encourage their imagination, boost their self-confidence and energy, and offer opportunities for formative social interactions; and

WHEREAS, there is a segment of the State's youth are physically disabled and unable to use some playgrounds located on county property; and

     WHEREAS, the Legislature is committed to enhancing the inclusion of physically disabled youth in important socialization activities, including activities that occur at a playground; now, therefore,

     BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Thirty-third Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2025, that the counties of the State are urged to have a minimal set of special needs recreational playground equipment in each playground located in a county park; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the minimal set of special needs recreational playground equipment include a wheelchair accessible swing set; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that all special needs recreational playground equipment installed in county parks comply with the standards set forth in the 2010 Americans with Disabilities Act Standards for Accessible Design, or any successor or similar guidelines or standards governing accessibility standards for public facilities; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Resolution be transmitted to the mayor and chairperson of each county council of each county in the State.

Report Title: 

Counties; Special Needs Recreational Playground Equipment; County Parks

STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1583

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    S.R. No. 42

       S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2025

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committees on Energy and Intergovernmental Affairs and Health and Human Services, to which was referred S.R. No. 42 entitled:

"SENATE RESOLUTION URGING COUNTIES TO INSTALL SPECIAL NEEDS RECREATIONAL PLAYGROUND EQUIPMENT IN PARK PLAYGROUNDS,"

beg leave to report as follows:

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to urge the counties of the State to install a minimal set of special needs recreational playground equipment in each playground located in a county park.

     Your Committees received testimony in support of this measure from the State Council on Developmental Disabilities, Disability and Communication Access Board, Hawaii Disability Rights Center, Autism Moms of Kona, and three individuals.

     Your Committees received comments on this measure from one individual.

     Your Committees find that there is a segment of the State's youth that are unable to use some playgrounds on county property.  According to testimony received by your Committees, this measure could provide many benefits as it not only supports physical activity for sensory and nervous system regulation and encourages functional speech and communication through naturalistic play, but also encourages the inclusion and integration of youth with disabilities and their caregivers in the communities.  This measure aims to ensure equal access for all of Hawaii's youth at each playground in a county park.

     Your Committees note the Legislature's commitment to the inclusion of youth with disabilities in important socialization events and believe that it is not only important to ensure equal access of these formative recreational areas but to also ensure their long-term safety, cleanliness, and functionality.  Your Committees further note concerns from the Hawaii Disability Rights Center regarding the potential costs to ensure that all county parks comply with the 2010 Americans with Disabilities Act Standards for Accessible Design.  Amendments to this measure are therefore necessary to address these issues.

     Accordingly, your Committees have amended this measure by:

     (1)  Expanding the scope of the measure to apply to youths with physical, developmental, or intellectual disabilities, instead of only youth with physical disabilities;

     (2)  Replacing the phrase "special needs recreational playground equipment" with "accessible recreational playground equipment";

     (3)  Urging the counties to establish comprehensive maintenance plans that ensure the long-term safety, cleanliness, and functionality of each playground;

     (4)  Requesting the counties' comprehensive maintenance plans to include certain key components relating to regular inspections, preventive maintenance, cleaning and sanitation, accessibility assurance, emergency repairs, and community engagements;

     (5)  Requesting the Department of Education and the Department of Accounting and General Services to convene a working group that includes the counties to create an inventory of all existing and planned state and county playgrounds; identify different types of accessible recreational playground equipment, and the cost to purchase, install, and maintain such equipment; and provide recommendations for how the State and counties should add accessible recreational playground equipment into their existing or future playgrounds;

     (6)  Amending its title accordingly; and

     (7)  Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity and consistency.

     As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Energy and Intergovernmental Affairs and Health and Human Services that are attached to this report, your Committees concur with the intent and purpose of S.R. No. 42, as amended herein, and recommend its adoption in the form attached hereto as S.R. No. 42, S.D. 1.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Energy and Intergovernmental Affairs and Health and Human Services,