This section sets forth general principles and controls for the establishment of a parks, recreation, and preservation system within each development plan area. This system shall consist of existing and future community- based parks and recreation sites, existing and future State and county-based parks and recreation sites, and preservation areas.
(a) Parks and recreation areas. Parks and recreation areas as defined in § 24-1.3 shall be located and designed so as to be suitable for different and varied neighborhoods and available to all residents of Oahu. Wherever possible, existing and future parks within this system shall be linked by streams and other green belt trails, pedestrian ways, bicycle ways, hiking trails, parkways, and boulevards.
The following principles and controls shall be applied to the elements of the State and county and community- based parks and recreation system.
(1) State and county parks and recreation sites.
(A) Preservation/forest areas. Areas of recreational value shall be of low intensity use. When development prevents the establishment of mountain parks, streamside parks, or other upland recreational facilities, public access shall be made available to the resource. Points of access to hiking trails, hunting areas, swimming areas, and camping areas shall be established and space allotted for adequate parking and other support services and as provided under Ordinance 4311 (1974), “Public Access of Pedestrian Traffic to Shoreline and Mountain Areas.”
(B) Significant natural or historical parks and sites. These parks or sites shall be used for medium or low intensity recreation activity while preserving their natural or historical characteristics. Examples include Koko Head Regional Park, Makapuu Beach Park, Kahana Valley State Park, Sacred Falls State Park, Kaena Point State Park, Kualoa Regional Park, and Kawainui Marsh.
(C) State county regional recreation parks. These parks or sites may be beach or inland sites with some natural significance and shall be used for medium to high intensity recreational activities, including picnicking facilities. Examples include Sand Island State Park, Malaekahana State Park, Hoomaluhia Park, Kaiaka State Recreation Area, and Queen Kapiolani Park.
(D) Beach/shoreline parks. A system of public parks shall be provided and private greenbelts encouraged along the island’s shoreline. New coastal development shall be regulated to preserve shoreline open space, including recreational support facilities, such as picnicking, and adequate space for public parking.
(E) Beach/shoreline rights-of-way. Where development prevents the establishment of a shoreline park, public shoreline rights-of-way shall be provided to allow access to coastal recreational sites and resources. Where feasible in rural areas, points of public shoreline access may be no more than one- half mile apart. Where feasible in urbanized areas, points of public shoreline access may be no more than one-quarter mile apart. Points of public shoreline access may be sited at closer intervals when justified by public demand, traditional use patterns, high-quality recreational resources, barriers to safe pedestrian thoroughfare along the shoreline, land development patterns, or natural features. Points of access to beach/shoreline areas shall be established and space allotted for adequate parking and other support services.
(F) Zoos and botanic gardens. A system of public and private zoos and botanic gardens shall be maintained wherever feasible.
(G) Golf courses. Public or semi-public golf courses shall be provided where possible at a standard of one 18-hole course per 100,000 people.
(2) Community-based parks and recreation sites. Each community shall have reasonable accessibility to all types of public parks and facilities according to population size or community preferences, or both. Community-based parks and recreation include public and legislatively required private park and recreational facilities. Such uses may be permitted in any designated use area. When such uses are located on parcels smaller than the required minimum lot size of the surrounding uses or are not on a subdivision parcel solely for its use, the area occupied need not be shown on the maps and may be zoned in accordance with the use designation on the land use map.
(A) Parks standards. The following types of parks may be established within each community.
(i) District parks/centers. District recreation parks shall consist of 15-20 acres or more and serve approximately 25,000 people. Facilities may include a gymnasium/recreation complex, a pool, playfield, courts, and passive areas.
(ii) Community parks/centers. Community recreation parks shall consist of 10 acres or more and serve approximately 10,000 people. Facilities may include a recreational building, playfields, courts, and passive areas.
(iii) Neighborhood parks/playgrounds. Neighborhood parks shall consist of four to six acres or more, and serve approximately 5,000 people. Facilities may include playfields, courts, and passive areas.
(iv) Mini parks, urban squares, malls and passive parks. Small mini parks, urban parks and squares shall be located wherever possible in high-density neighborhoods as well as in high-density business and industrial areas. Passive and picnic areas may be part of the above park types.
(B) Built-up areas. Built-up areas with inadequate recreational opportunities and insufficient suitable sites for future recreational development shall have recreation opportunities made available within a reasonable distance of the immediate service area. Land for open space and recreation purposes within and outside of the immediate service area shall be provided at a minimum of two acres per thousand persons.
(C) Suburban and new development areas. Suburban and new development areas shall include land for open space and recreation purposes at a minimum of two acres per thousand persons.
(D) Semi-rural or low-density areas. Semi-rural or low-density areas shall have reasonably accessible parks and facilities according to parks and recreation standards, but serving larger geographic areas.
(b) Preservation areas. Preservation areas as defined in § 24-1.3 encompass elements of Oahu’s natural environment that give the island its essential character, while also performing invaluable functions for its residents at no cost. These functions include buffering the island from storm winds and flood tides, stabilizing the shorelines, purifying water, and maintaining a fresh water system that supports unique wildlife and lush vegetation. Preservation areas and their related functions support the health, safety, and welfare of every resident of Oahu and shall be preserved and protected from incompatible development.
(Sec. 32-1.5, R.O. 1978 (1987 Supp. to 1983 Ed.)) (1990 Code, Ch. 24, Art. 1, § 24-1.5) (Am. Ord. 90-43)