By Bryan Manabat
bryan@mvariety.com
Variety News Staff
THE renovation and construction of the Capital Hill playground has been completed, according to Parks and Recreation Director Mike Cruz.
“The turnover from the Department of Public Works to Parks and Recreation was done last week,” Cruz said. “The project involved construction of a retaining wall and fence, installation of a new playground, parking lot improvements, and an ADA-compliant pedestrian pathway.”
The project was funded through an appropriation under Saipan Local Law 23-4.
“It’s open to the public — anyone who wants to use the park,” Cruz said. “There’s a softball field, basketball court, and pickleball court.”
Cruz added that Precinct 4 Rep. Joel Camacho is organizing a community painting activity for the retaining wall, especially for youth participants.
“The idea is to let the community own the park so that vandalism can be avoided,” Cruz said.
Bryan Manabat was a liberal arts student of Northern Marianas College where he also studied criminal justice. He is the recipient of the NMI Humanities Award as an Outstanding Teacher (Non-Classroom) in 2013, and has worked for the CNMI Motheread/Fatheread Literacy Program as lead facilitator.
