Works ongoing at the Green Park in Bartica
Mayor of Bartica, Gifford Marshall said that the park which is being constructed at the West Indian Housing Scheme will be managed by a financial committee in order to ensure its sustainability and maintenance.
Marshall disclosed that the park will be completely solar in keeping with the community’s thrust to be promoted as a model town and in light of Guyana’s push to create a green environment.
He noted too that residents will benefit largely from the social derivative of the project.
“This entire area was a swamp and at first persons were critical of the project. They were questioning our reasoning behind such an initiative but now many persons are beginning to see what we have in mind,” the Mayor said.
The park will feature a three-tier fountain and there will also be a playground with walkways, benches, benabs, arched (kissing) bridges and a green space for trees.
The water for the fountain will be sourced from a natural fresh-water spring that was found at the backlands to create a waterfall concept.
“There will also be a kids’ playpark with swings and slides and so that area will be cordoned off by a fence. Adjoining the playpark will be a walkway where we will have benches and benabs,” an engineer attached to the project said.
He noted that the intention is to have children who may want to ride their bicycles and families who are looking to have picnics and outings under the benabs.
The park will also allow for spaces where residents can hold barbeques, receptions, weddings, anniversary celebrations as well as other public events.
Persons can also do photography on the kissing bridges that link and provide access to the two walkways.
Project Coordinator of the Community Infrastructural Improvement Project (CIIP), Karen Roopchand said that the intention was to create a space where people can exercise, relax and also use for recreational purposes.
“We want to ensure that there are green spaces so we will factor in the landscaping with trees, flowers and plants,” Roopchand said.
She disclosed that the park will increase the value of properties in the area and will also serve the purpose of beatifying the environment, creating a green space, improving the aesthetics and providing an income stream.
Councillor, Mark Ambrose explained that the site is an ideal spot for any type of celebration and will be open to the public.
“From my viewpoint, it gives families a place to relax and it also provides a quiet spot where children can play. Nothing of this nature has ever been attempted in the community and so it is a new concept,” Ambrose pointed out.
He too is of the opinion that the green park will tremendously improve relations, revive community spirit among residents and provide a means of income for the council.
“It will generate revenue for the council since it can be rented for various events. This money can then be used to finance other development projects within the region.”
The project is being undertaken by S. Jagmohan Hardware Supplies and Construction Services at a cost of $31M and is expected to be completed by the end of October.
A representative of the company said that works were severely hampered by bad weather and due to the scope of works required to transform the area from a bushy swamp to its present state.
He explained that the company was forced to filled the area with six feet of sand and also re-direct the channel of the water flowing from the swamp.
We are now in the process of constructing the fence and concrete walkway and installing the benab and benches,” the representative said.
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