Eddie Tam Memorial Center (Makawao Park)

Park map

The Maui County website says it best. "Eddie Tam Memorial Center, the site of many local sporting events, features one of the best-equipped gymnasium facilities on island: Mayor Eddie Tam Memorial Complex. The surrounding park is spacious and accessible, located between Makawao Avenue and Ho’omaha Road, within walking distance to Makawao Town. Built in the 1960’s, the park is home to a variety of recreational athletic fields: Little League and Bronco ball diamonds; extra baseball and softball fields; an exceptionally well-maintained soccer field; tennis and basketball courts. Picnic pavilions and a playground make it a wonderful spot for family fun, and park neighbors include the Makawao Head Start Program and Youth Center building."

parking lot view

The locals just call the park "Eddie Tam" so that's how I'll refer to it from here on. Eddie Tam has almost everything a great Maui park needs. Fields for all kinds of sports, covered picnic tables, ample parking, multiple restrooms. It's a great park and it's all well maintained. Eddie Tam is a ten minute walk to the heart of Makawao town, so locals come here all the time. With Kalama Intermediate right next door, and Makawao Elementary just a few blocks away, both schools use the park for sports and other big events (like May Day for elementary school). Don't let Google map's green square fool you. The park is MUCH bigger when you use the satellite view (or better yet, see it in person). 

Baseball field

Aside from sports, all the kids in town know Eddie Tam is a perfect place to go sliding down the hills with a big piece of cardboard. What I didn't discover until I was in high school, however, is that if you lay a track of cardboard pieces all the way down the hill, and tape them together, you go SO MUCH faster than just sliding the cardboard on grass. No matter how old you are, come to the park, bring plenty of cardboard, and give it a shot. Who cares if strangers are watching?

Soccer Field

Nearby, there's also a dog park. It's on the northwest side of the park, close to Hale Kipa road. The dog park has fenced big-dog and small-dog separate areas, so that the little puppers don't get trampled by big doggos playing and running around. The dog park has drinking fountains for humans and dogs, a gerden hose to wash off your dog, dog poop stations, and plenty of parking. I'd also like to mention that there is a field of goats near the park as well. Keep an eye out for them. They're cute.

Click and drag this 360 photo!

 

Sources:

Google Maps, Accessed January 25, 2021. https://goo.gl/maps/7DT4w4TtZ2kVy2jx6

Maui County, Accessed January 25, 2021. https://www.mauicounty.gov/Facilities/Facility/Details/Eddie-Tam-Memorial-Center-163

Upcounrty Dog Park, Accessed January 25, 2021. http://upcountry-park.edan.io/

Maui Hunter, Accessed January 25, 2021. https://www.mauihunter.com/big-dogs-and-small-dogs-enjoy-the-upcountry-dog-park-in-makawao-maui/