American Memorial Park honors the American and Marianas people who
gave their lives during the Marianas Campaign of World War II. Over
5000 names are inscribed on a memorial which was dedicated June 15,
1994, during the 50th anniversary of the Invasion of Saipan. The
Memorial rests at the park's Court of Honor and Flag Circle, where
the U.S. flag proudly flies 24 hours a day, surrounded by the flags
of the U.S. Army, Marine Corps, Navy, and Air Force. As a "living
memorial", the park offers activities, such as baseball, bicycling,
running, tennis, picnicking, and swimming, enjoyed over half a century
ago by American service men and women. Within the 133-acre boundary
are beaches, sports fields, picnic sites, boat marinas, playgrounds,
walkways, and a 30-acre wetland and mangrove forest.
VISITATION:
Estimated at over 1,000,000 visits per year, the park hosts a great
number of tourists enroute to acquatic activities, and is a
central gathering place for the community and host to many events
throughout the year.
LOCATION:
Garapan, Saipan, Commonwealth of the
Northern Mariana Islands, U.S.A.
ADDRESS:
American Memorial Park
National Park Service
P.O. Box 5198-CHRB
Saipan, MP 96950-5198
OPERATING HOURS, SEASONS:
7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., daily.
CLIMATE, RECOMMENDED CLOTHING:
The average temperature for Saipan is 81.5 degrees Fahrenheit.
It's generally warm and sunny throughout the year, with a
pronounced rainy season from July through October. Comfortable
summer attire, walking shoes, sunglasses, a hat, and sunscreen
are highly recommended.
DIRECTIONS:
The park is centrally located along the western shoreline of
Saipan, adjacent to downtown Garapan. Traveling from the airport,
proceed north on Airport Road (Tun Herman Pan Highway) until the
Road ends at Monsignor Guerrero Road (16 Highway). Turn left on
Monsignor Guerrero Road, and continue until the Road ends at Beach
Road. Turn right on to Beach Road, and keep going until the Road
ends at the park's mall entrance. You will see a sign for American
Memorial Park in front of you, and the U.S. Memorial Court of Honor
and Flag Circle in the distance. Turn left on to Micro Beach Road,
and you will see the red-tiled roof of the Amphitheater Pavilion
and Ranger's Station to your right. You may park there, or continue
along the road to Micro Beach. There are several parking spots
available in front of Micro Beach Pavilion, and alongside the
baseball field and walking path.
TRANSPORTATION:
The park is within easy walking distance from hotels in Garapan's
tourist district. From other locations, the park can easily be
reached by taxi, rental car, or tourist shuttle bus.
FEES, COST, RATES:
There are currently no fees for
non-commercial use of the park.
FACILITIES AND OPPORTUNITIES:
Acreage:
133 Acres (54 hectares).
Visitor Center and Exhibits:
There is currently no visitor center. For information, visit the
ranger's station in the amphitheater pavilion complex. U.S. Memorial Court of Honor and Flag Circle:
Etched into stone plaques are the names of more than 5000 military
personnel who gave their lives during the Marianas WW II Campaign.
The Memorial surrounds the tall American flag, flanked by the U.S.
Army, Marine Corps, Navy, and Air Force flags. Carillon Belltower:
The Carillon Belltower is dedicated to the American and Northern
Marianas people who died during World War II. In their remembrance,
bells chime every half-hour from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Historic Sites:
The park contains many remnant structures from World War II.
Scattered throughout the park are Japanese pillboxes, buildings,
fuel storage tanks, bunkers, and a bathhouse/garden complex. There
is also a Chamorro Latte Stone near the park entrance where Beach
Road ends.
Cultural Sites:
The first Carolinian village site is marked by a wayside exhibit
at Micro Beach. Wetland Mangrove Forest:
The 30-acre wetland and mangrove forest is a remnant ecosystem
habitat of the Northern Marianas. The wetlands contain numerous
species of plants, trees, flowers, and birds, including the
endangered Nightingale Reed-Warbler. The adjacent mudflats are
an important migratory bird site. World War II Virtual Museum:
The former WW II museum at the park is currently closed. A new
museum and visitor center may open in the future. In the meantime,
you may click here
to visit the online Virtual Museum of American Memorial
Park's World War II history.
Trails and Roads:
A picturesque bike and walking path runs from Micro Beach, past the
Court of Honor and Flag Circle and Smiling Cove Marina, and ends at
the Puerto Rico landfill. All areas of the park are accessible by
paved or well-groomed roads and trails.
Programs and Activities:
A modern 1,200-seat outdoor amphitheater complex and other
facilities host a variety of special events. Wetland, bird
watching, and educational tours are available by making advanced
arrangements with the National Park Service.
Lodging and Camping Facilities:
The park mostly accommodates day-use visitation. More than 10
hotels (of varying price ranges) are within easy walking distance
of the park. For more information on hotel accommodations, refer
to the Marianas Visitors Bureau website
at: http://www.visit-marianas.com.
Food and Supplies:
There are numerous shops and restaurants within walking distance
from the park in Central Garapan. A small convenience store is
located at Outer Cove Marina.
Other Concessions and NPS-Managed Visitor Facilities and Opportunities:
There are four night-lighted tennis courts open from 6:00 a.m. to
10:00 p.m. daily. There are also field sport areas, picnic sites,
and a children's playground on the premises. Marinas:
Smiling Cove recreational pleasure boat marina is managed in
cooperation with the CNMI Division of Fish & Wildlife. Currently
under construction, the Outer Cove Marina includes a fuel dock
and a mini market (expected to be fully operational in late Summer
1998).
Accessibility and Special Needs:
Most sites are wheelchair accessible. Contact the park for specific
information and requests (see address/phone/email above).
RECOMMENDED ACTIVITIES and PARK USE:
Suggested activitites include: walking, jogging, or cycling along
the path from Micro Beach; visiting the Carillon Belltower, U.S.
Memorial Court of Honor, Smiling Cove Marina, and various historic
and cultural sites; picnicking and barbecuing at designated areas;
playing tennis or other sports; relaxing on the beach or picnic
areas; observing plants, birds, and flowers in the wetlands and
mangrove forest; and attending a special event or activity, such
as the Flametree Festival, Liberation Festival, or a beach clean
up.
RESERVATIONS and PERMITS:
Special use permits are required for groups of 25 or more, and
for commercial use of the amphitheater, Micro Beach pavilion,
sports fields, or tennis courts.
BASIC VISIT RECOMMENDATIONS:
Set aside one or two hours to visit the park. Starting from Micro
Beach Pavilion, walk along the path, and stop at the Carillon
Belltower, U.S. Court of Honor and Flag Circle, Smiling Cove Marina,
and other historic and cultural sites. Or, spend an hour enjoying
the birds, trees, and plants in the wetland and mangrove forest
(it can be very muddy, so try to wear boots). Or, spend time
playing tennis, relaxing at Micro Beach, or having a picnic or
barbecue.
SPECIAL EVENTS and PROGRAMS:
National Park Week, Environmental Awareness Week, the Liberation
Festival, the Flametree Arts Festival, and other annual events
frequent the park. See the Calendar of
Events for current listings. Interpretive Programs on war
history, natural history, wetlands, birding, and Ranger careers
are available upon request.
VISITOR IMPACTS:
Please help protect our historic, cultural, and natural resources.
Please do not disturb, remove, or damage them. They are protected
under Federal and Commonwealth law. Do not disturb or remove any
World War II ammunition that you find on or off shore. Inform a
ranger about its location so it can be removed by qualified
personnel.
ADJACENT VISITOR ATTRACTIONS:
Micro Beach is one of the finest windsurfing beaches in the
Marianas. At Smiling Cove Marina, visitors can enjoy boat rides
to Managaha Island and sunset cruises. Within walking distance
is the tourist district of Garapan, full of souvenir shops
and restaurants. For further information, view the Marianas
Visitors Bureau website
at:http://www.visit-marianas.com.
Last Updated:Sunday, 05-Jul-98 01:15:29
http://www.nps.gov/amme/
Author:
(Volunteer)
Bill Bezzant,
Saipan, Northern Mariana Islands
Email: bill.bezzant@saipan.com
