National Heroes Park

National Heroes Park is a botanical garden in Kingston, Jamaica. The largest open space in Kingston at 50 acres in size, National Heroes Park features numerous monuments, and is the burial site of many of Jamaica's National Heroes, Prime Ministers, and cultural leaders.

Founded in 1783, the park was originally a race track called "Kingston Race Course", which featured a one-mile track used for horse races, with a typical purse of 100 pounds sterling. In 1905, a new track was constructed at Knutsford Park, and the old track was renamed "George VI Memorial Park" in honor of King George VI of the United Kingdom and converted into a public park. After Jamaica gained independence in 1962, the park's name was changed again to the name it currently bears.

National Heroes Park is currently maintained by the Parks Division of Jamaica's National Solid Waste Management Authority. Security is provided by a formal honour guard from the Jamaican Defence Force, with a Changing of the Guard taking place every hour. Jamaica's Ministry of Local Government, Community Development and Sport is responsible for the renovations currently taking place at the park.

The Jamaica War Memorial, a cenotaph honoring the Jamaicans killed in combat during World War I and World War II, is a prominent feature of the park. The memorial, which was constructed in 1922, was initially located on Church Street in downtown Kingston, but in 1953 it was moved to its present location. It is topped by a cross weighing one and a half tons.

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