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Parts of AMP closed for imperial visit today
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Posted on Jun 27 2005
Those hoping to have a picnic or barbecue today at American Memorial Park would have to postpone their plans for another day.
Site manager Chuck Sayon said certain parts of the park would be off-limits to the public on the occasion of Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko’s visit to honor American and local war dead.
Specifically, he said the Micro Beach Picnic Area and Micro Beach Loop would be closed.
The park ranger also added that all parking along Micro Beach Road has been closed since last night and would be observed until this afternoon.
“Other closures also include the main amphitheater parking lot plus the Smiling Cove Marina and parking lot,” Sayon said.
He said that barricades would be in place and AMP staff would be on guard to prevent access to all of the restricted areas in the park.
Sayon said the parking and road closures would be enforced until after the imperial couple’s visit.
Sayon added that starting 6am today, people hoping to see the imperial couple at the AMP should be prepared for strict security measures that will be in place.
“Those wishing to be in the park for the emperor’s visit can start arriving at 10am,” he said.
Sayon also advised the public not to bring bags or backpacks of any type. Each individual, he said, will be screened by security staff for weapons prior to gaining access into the park’s designated public viewing area. He said he and his team had a dry run of the security checkpoints at 9am yesterday in preparation for today’s event.
“Plan ahead and come early,” was the advice of Sayon.
A silver lining, however, Sayon said is that the AMP Visitors Center would be open from 1pm to 8pm and administrative hours will be open from 1pm to 4:30pm.
