Susupe Beach Park undergoes revitalization

The landmark Susupe Beach Park, which has lost its luster due to rundown pavilions, unkempt grounds, and rampant graffiti, has been renovated, refurbished, and cleaned up, thanks to the efforts of Tan Holdings Corp.

In October and November this year, Tan Holdings management, through the leadership of Tan Holdings president Jerry Tan, took the initiative to revitalize this serene and intimate park. The team volunteered to paint all concrete areas, remove debris that had accumulated through the years, and work with the appointed contractor, Reliance Construction, in resurfacing and restoring all broken barbecue pits, concrete benches, and concrete tables.

Tan Holding managers set out with a force of about 80 people per cleanup, divided into five groups per day, and each group was assigned to water-blast, clean up and repaint the stage, pavilions, grounds, and bathrooms.

The addition of a new roof for the stage was one of the highlights of this restoration project. The volunteers also took the time to paint the wall and water tanks of the Saipan Community School that face the park.

Now, after 20 years, the community can once again enjoy the outdoor performances that defined the Susupe Beach Park.

The face of the newly renovated Susupe Beach Park will be presented to the public tomorrow, Nov. 22, at 2pm, with a performance by the ukulele students of the Saipan Community School. The top three winners of the recent Best Dance Crew of the CNMI contest will also be performing. Among the guests at tomorrow’s event are officials of the Department of Lands and Natural Resources, Parks and Recreations, Saipan Mayor’s Office, among others.

“We’re very grateful to the volunteers from the Tan Holdings who made this happen. It’s really a wonderful project that benefits the community,” said DLNR Secretary Dr. Ignacio Dela Cruz.

In 1988, Susupe Beach Park was developed as Saipan’s first public park with pavilions and stage. Since then, countless wedding receptions, family gatherings, special events, and performance memories have been created at the park. Over the years, natural disasters, erosion, and vandalism had severely damaged the pavilions, benches, and surrounding areas. Parks and Recreation, with their minimal resources, had been able to keep the park as safe and secure as possible. That’s when Tan Holdings stepped in to help reclaim the park for the people of Saipan.

Susupe Beach Park’s beach is about 800 feet long and up to about 40 feet wide. Vegetation is mainly ironwood trees. Susupe Regional Park is the most well developed local public recreation facility on Saipan. The park was built in 1988 after public demand for a park wherein entertainment and activities could be placed. Initial stage cost was $150,000 and the former owners of Grand Hotel paid 50 percent of the costs. It was the first park ever built on Saipan. During its heyday, reservations had to be made months in advance for use of the pavilions. [B][I](PR)[/I][/B]