New playgrounds at Lions Park and Onesosopo Park should be completed by December.
Director of Parks and Recreation Andrew Pelesasa reports that more than half of the new playground equipment at Lions Park has already been installed, and the project is on track to be completed before the end of the year.
Crews are currently connecting a new walkway that links directly to the park’s main path. Before the playground opens, the grounds will be leveled, and all equipment will undergo safety inspections to ensure a secure environment for children and families.
The contractor for the Lions Park playground is Vailu’u & Sons, and the project is funded through the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF). It features modern play structures — including slides, platform chambers with overhead covers, swings, climbers, and horizontal ladders.
The Onesosopo Park playground features a 10-foot tower with slides, swings, climbers and shaded platforms designed for older children. This is also funded by the Land and Water Conservation Fund, with Dean Hudson of MOS Ventures serving as contractor.
Beyond the playground, the department is preparing to launch the Onesosopo Park Sports Complex — a major community investment that will serve as a central recreation hub for the east side.
The complex will include a football field, bleachers, parking areas, walking trails, and new restrooms. With seating for approximately 80 to 120 spectators, the open-air design promotes both recreation and community gatherings. Groundbreaking is planned for mid-November 2025, with Happy Construction leading the year-long project once procurement and final contracts are finalized.
In addition to playground construction, the department has also begun replacing restroom doors and installing baby-changing stations across several park sites. These improvements are funded through ARPA.
Photos: Dept. of Parks & Recreation
