Park Ranger Nancy Kelchner told the Variety that plans are underway to make the celebration memorable for the whole community.
“The park will be turning 30 in Aug. 18, but we will hold the celebrations in Aug. 23 so working parents and students can join the activities,” Kelchner said.
She is inviting the community to mark their calendars and be at the park for a whole day of fun, frolic and games.
“We will have a brief ceremony at the Court of Honor and partake of the birthday cake and punch. We are looking forward to having the community join us,” Kelchner said.
Games and scavenger hunts will be organized for children of all ages, and the lucky ones will bring home various prizes.
Kelchner said that Park superintendent Sarah Creachbaum will be on Saipan for the celebration, as well as other staff from the sister park on Guam.
One special feature for the children during the celebration is the search for pretend brown tree snakes that will be hidden all over the park.
“We will be giving out attractive prizes to kids who can collect the most number of pretend brown tree snakes, but these are just made of rubber, not real snakes,” Kelchner said.
She added that the activity is just like similar to the Easter egg hunt where students will collect eggs to put in their baskets.
A few days before the actual celebration, Kelchner said that they will be having a visitor’s appreciation day.
“We will be going around the park walkway possibly early in the morning to distribute t-shirts and water bottles to the early joggers as a token of our appreciation to the community for its continued support,” she said.
American Memorial Park has been instrumental in serving as an extension classroom for students of all levels on Saipan and neighboring islands like Tinian, Rota and Guam.
Kelchner said having a big birthday bash for its 30th birthday is their way of thanking the community and appreciating all the support they got through all the years.
