| Located just south of the Wailua River, Lydgate | | | | or pick up a cheap set at Wal-Mart near the |
| Park is like a dream come true for families | | | | airport. Be sure to bring a fish identification book |
| traveling with babies and children. This beach park | | | | to answer all your kids' questions about what |
| has a lot to offer to families including: large and | | | | kinds of fish they saw. |
| small pavilions for shade and parties, picnic tables, | | | | Directly across the parking lot from the swimming |
| bathrooms, showers, a lifeguard, two large | | | | area is a large community-built playground. There |
| community built playgrounds, walking paths and | | | | are swings, slides, bars, tires, walkways, swinging |
| large grassy areas. The beach consists of two | | | | bridges, a volcano, tile benches, drinking fountains |
| ponds protected by a rock wall barrier that | | | | and all that wonderfully soft sawdust they pour |
| dissipates the energy of the incessant east side | | | | on the ground to pad any falls. This playground is |
| wind waves. The large pond is great for | | | | guaranteed to wear your little ones out! If it |
| swimming and trying out your new snorkeling | | | | doesn't, a second playground and bridge is located |
| skills, while the smaller pond is perfect for wading | | | | about ΒΌ mile away just south of this area. To |
| with your infants and toddlers. | | | | get there you may drive, take a nice walk along |
| The ponds were built to allow the water to move | | | | the beach or use one of the many walking paths. |
| freely through the spaces between the rocks. | | | | The Wailua area in general is rich in ancient |
| Juvenile fishes also move into the pond via these | | | | historical sites. These sites are worth investigating. |
| crevices and if they remain inside the pond and | | | | At the north end of Lydgate Park, you will find |
| grow, they are unable to escape. That's good | | | | the Hauola Place of Refuge. This Place of Refuge |
| news for those of you that like to snorkel. I often | | | | was considered a safe zone for commoners who |
| see over thirty species of fishes when I snorkel | | | | had broken a kapu or committed a crime. The |
| here. Turtles and eels can also be found in the | | | | rock wall remains also mark the site of the Hikini |
| pond from time to time, especially after a high | | | | a ka la Heiau. You may also hunt for petroglyphs |
| tide. The protected area, calm water, posted | | | | buried in the mouth of the Wailua River when it is |
| lifeguard and variety of fish make this the perfect | | | | calm and the water level is low. Be warned |
| location to teach your kids (or yourself) how to | | | | however, the beach at Wailua can be rough and a |
| snorkel. You can rent snorkel gear at any of the | | | | lifeguard is not always posted. |
| numerous snorkel rental locations around the island | | | | Enjoy your family together on the Garden Isle! |