Lush green grass, fenced all around and free lights for basketball? Who can complain about this moderately kept public park. Its nice to see that the landscape is relatively maintained, with minimal rubbish on the ground. Basketball courts are usually fairly busy with groups of testosterone fueled guys playing one-on-one or team games. Some of the nets are ripped, but nothing drastic that makes it unusable. Sometimes some skateboarders set up small ramps to practice tricks. On this particular day, I also encountered a pretty large group playing old school kick-ball with red rubberballs. Brings back memories of good ol’ elementary school days. One thing I dislike, the yellow tinge, discount lights used to illuminate the courts.
Ed L.
Place rating: 4 Honolulu, HI
Basketball! Softball! Baseball! Camping! John H. Wilson Elementary School playground plays host to the community’s thirst for recreational theater. Whether you love to be active with sports and other outdoor social activities, or just to chill out with friends and family in a familiar suburban setting, this place may be the place for you. This community playground is administratively connected to the John H Wilson Elementary school, which manages the playground. The playground gets its most use from the elementary school kids during the school year, especially during recess periods, lunch time, and after school times. For those of us in the community who use the playground during the weekends and on weekday evenings, it is often a good, free solution to entertain yourself and have an active lifestyle by participating in sports. For me, I have used this playground more than a few times in the last 10 years, most notably for playing basketball with friends and making new friends. Yes, this marathoner likes to play basketball. Not watching it, but playing it sometimes when I feel like it. There are a few basketball court options, but Wilson Playground to me felt safer than that of Kapalono Community Park and Kaimuki Community Park, which are the others that are nearby. Wilson Playground is physically located on 4614 Kilauea Avenue. You can’t really miss it, plus there are street parking spots available in the residential district for your conveience. If not, there’s always parking at Kahala Mall shopping center nearby and walk on over, but that I would say is the last resort. The nice thing about Wilson Playground is that, not that its free, but it’s safe. Bad things can happen in community parks, but I know that Wilson Playground is — for the most part — safe and family friendly for sure. Many people get to show their basketball or baseball skills here. Maybe this place is the field of dreams for a kid one day making it into the big leagues. For now, it’s a place to practice and to have fun. I myself recently came here to rekindle my love for basketball. At the time on a recent Sunday in the afternoon, it was nearly deserted and the temperatures were decidedly humid. Still, it was nice to do something other than pure running and being in the gym, lifting heavy things repeatedly. It was something different for a change. A good change can mean the difference between a positive and negative experience. The grounds of the Wilson elementary school playground are kept great. The facilities here were good, complete with an ample supply of drinking water for those who need it. There was a couple of people who came onto the court about 15 minutes after me and decided to play one on one with themselves. Soon after that, one other person came and we all basically asked whether or not we wanted to play 2 vs 2. Neither my capability as a NBA superstar was mentioned, but I had a good time playing. We won by one point, which was a win on a good or bad day. For me, Wilson playground is one of the good free things about living in Hawaii. Well, our taxpayer dollars pay for these facilities, but enjoy them while it is still open to the public. Many functions can be had here, but do follow the rules that are posted on the signage around the park. Life is what you make it out to be and getting out into the fresh air and doing some good with your health can be here at the Wilson elementary school playground. Whether you are here to hang out or be competitive in the sport you are choosing. Even running loops around the Wilson playground property itself(I’ve done it) is pretty fun to do, just got to find the fun and excitement in everything you do. The overall experience will depend on the activity you choose. For me, the basketball experience was good and happy to have done it. Support local! B+
Ward K.
Place rating: 4 Honolulu, HI
Wilson Playground is right in front of Wilson Elementary School in the Waialae Kahala area. There is a place where kids can play behind the pavilion. The pavilion has a nice area that is sheltered so you can either watch the softball or basketball game in the shade or have a gathering without being in the elements. There used to be an area that had poles where you could set up a volleyball net but they are gone now. On the lower courts there are two full basketball courts. Nets were torn on two of the rims. The upper courts has lower rims but you have to bring your own or play on the regular ones. So you have two standard 10′ and four 6′ to play on. Courts could stand to be resurfaced. Other than that it is a pretty cool place to play ball. There is a softball field and next to it is a practice area. Nighttime has good working lights so you can play till around 9 or 10 pm.
