Public-private partnerships can enhance services for government agencies that authorize them, as long as it remains a true partnership that is transparent to the public.

The April 26 vote by the Honolulu City Council to enact Bill 78, a measure authorizing “sponsorships” of city-owned assets, has enabled one prospect for a privately-run element in Ala Moana Beach Park, a prime recreational resource in urban Honolulu.

City officials should consider it, as long as they can steer clear of any arrangement leading to unwanted commercialization of public parks.

The concept envisioned for a 1-acre parcel at the Diamond Head side of the park is for an “inclusive playground,” which is being proposed by a group that wants to incorporate as a private nonprofit organization and manage the installation.

An inclusive playground is a facility designed to accommodate children of varying physical abilities, a recreation trend that’s proven popular in some other cities.

It’s an idea raised at recent hearings on Bill 78 by two group members, Alana Kobayashi Pakkala and Tiffany Vara. Pakkala is a partner and executive vice president for the Kobayashi Group, one of the principals building the ultra-luxe Park Lane condominium fronting Ala Moana Center, but the park project is being proposed as an independent enterprise.

Even so, that association with the nearby development underscores the need to learn more about the playground project well in advance of any agreements being inked.

Mayor Kirk Caldwell spoke about the playground idea during a Monday press conference for the city’s two new sand volleyball courts, a separate element in the overall Ala Moana upgrade plan. The partnership could allow the construction and operation of the playground, along with a concession of some kind.

Exactly what kind of concession might be intended is unknown. “It could have zip lines, all kinds of really good things,” Caldwell said. That statement assumes zip lines there are seen as “really good things,” which, to some people, they are not.

The playground likely would be fenced — a red flag — and a “small concession” with items geared for children is another possibility. This would help the group recoup some expenses and maintain the park.

The mayor said it’s not yet clear whether the arrangement could be a lease or a concession agreement. Whatever the form, the public needs to hear more about any potential money-making activities, or other departures from ordinary park uses.

There appears to be an instinct on the City Council to shed more light. Bill 49, a new measure containing revisions to the new sponsorship ordinance, is up for first reading today, the Council’s regular Wednesday meeting. Among other tweaks to the ordinance, the latest bill would expand the number of sponsorships that would require a Council resolution — and thus a public hearing.

The current ordinance requires resolutions only for projects extending over more than a five-year lease and valued at $50,000. The new bill lowers that threshold to a $10,000 minimum. This is an amendment that would improve transparency.

There are possible benefits to this partnership. Privately raised money could lighten the burden on taxpayers, especially where security and maintenance are concerned.

However, the mayor also said the partner would have some control of the property through the legal agreement, and that is worrisome.

Honolulu does need improvements for its parks and is short of resources to keep up with the work. But Ala Moana must remain open to all the public —and a place where people can have respite from the commercial activity all around them.

The last thing Oahu needs is to lose custody of its parks, parceling them out, bit by bit, to private interests. City officials must take a deep breath before heading down this slippery slope.