Wahiawā Freshwater State Recreation Area
Photo Credit: DUDEK

**IMPORTANT PARK NOTICES**

[OAHU]  UPDATED 3/22/23: Kaʻena Point State Park – Mokuleʻia Section – Vehicle Access Gate has CLOSED due to saturated road conditions.

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*PARK PROJECT CLOSURES*

[MAUI] UPDATED 3/17/23: Polipoli Spring State Recreation Area – camping will REOPEN soon. See Polipoli site for updates.

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[HAWAIʻI] UPDATED 3/14/23: Hapuna Beach State Recreation Area – WATER OFFLINE in the park, facilities impacted. See Hapuna site for updates. 

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[MAUI] UPDATED 1/26/23: ʻIao Valley State Monument – CLOSED August 2022 through April 15, 2023. See ʻĪao site for updates.

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[O’AHU] UPDATED 4/12/22: Sand Island State Recreation Area – WATER OFF, camping and comfort stations CLOSED. See Sand Island site for updates.

Wahiawā Freshwater State Recreation Area

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    Hours Daily 7:00am to 6:45pm
    Entrance Fee None

    Description

    Enjoy picnicking along the wooded shore of Wahiawa Reservoir (a.k.a. Lake Wilson). Year-round shore and boat fishing.  Check with the State DLNR Division of Aquatic Resources for applicable fishing restrictions. No swimming or water skiing. Boating is only for fishing purposes. Boat ramp at the park.

    History of Past Planning Efforts

    The Wahiawa Freshwater Park Master Plan, which laid out the building blocks for development of the current park, was prepared in 1975. Construction of the park was completed in 1978.

    To view the master plan report, Click Here —> Wahiawa Fresh Water Park Master Plan

    To view images of the current park, Click Here —> Wahiawa FWSRA Images and Overview

    In 2019, the University of Hawai‘i Community Design Center (UHCDC) completed the Lake Wilson: Wahiawa Freshwater State Recreation Area Study and Proof‐of‐Concept Design Report. UHCDC has played an instrumental role in informing preliminary discussions about the park’s future and increasing community awareness about the potential for Wahiawa Freshwater State Recreation Area. Innovative ideas for the redesign of the park envisioned comprehensive redevelopment across the property, with a fishing lodge for overnight accommodations, 750-seat outdoor amphitheater, disc golf course, piers, and boardwalks for shoreline fishing access, and wetland restoration and drainage improvements to support water quality. Although this report does not represent State Parks’ authorized plans for future park developments, it provides a good framework for community involvement and awareness of the potential for innovations in park improvements.

    We would like to acknowledge that UHCDC was the recipient of a 2021 Honor Award in the Research and Communication category from the Hawaii Chapter of the American Society of Landscape Architects for the work represented by their 2019 report. A link to view the report is below.

    To view the report, Click Here —> UHCDC Conceptual Plan Page

    Park Improvements

    Improvements are already underway for the Wahiawa Freshwater State Recreation Area! Design is in progress for a new 25-stall parking area, new sitting areas and rain shelters, and educational signage highlighting the natural and cultural resources within the park. Construction of this is anticipated to begin in early 2022.

    A public planning process to identify additional improvements is also in progress. The outcome of this process will be a conceptual site plan that will be used to prioritize investments in facilities and park management over the next 7-10 years.

    We want to know your thoughts. The Division of State Parks and the planning team from HHF Planners will be at the Wahiawa Freshwater State Recreation Area for a casual in-person, drop-in event on Saturday, May 21 from 9:00 am—1:00 pm. Stop by and meet the planners, learn about the planning process and the possible improvements, and share your opinions to help shape the future of the park. Preliminary ideas will be displayed, and the planning team will be available to receive comments and answer questions.

    Scroll through the following information to learn about the planning process and preliminary ideas.

    To view the Virtual Open House information in a new window (larger format), Click Here —> Virtual Open House LINK

    Click this link for a survey questionnaire.

    Comments from the questionnaire and pop up event will be used to gauge the community’s reactions to the preliminary ideas and provide direction to refine and prioritize future improvements. A draft conceptual site plan is expected to be completed in Summer 2022, with preparation of an environmental assessment in early 2023.

    Opportunity for public input on the draft conceptual site plan will follow as part of the environmental review process. This includes two future advisory committee meetings and a presentation to the Wahiawa Neighborhood Board during preparation of the environmental assessment.

    For questions or additional information, CONTACT

    Ronald Sato from HHF Planners email: [email protected] call: 808.457.3172