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Posted: Thursday 18 December, 2014 at 10:27 AM

Family Park delivered to New Road residents

By: Terresa McCall, SKNVibes.com

    BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – SOME eight months after its scheduled opening date, the New Road Family Park was officially opened yesterday (Dec. 17) in the presence of dignitaries and residents of that and surrounding communities.

     

    The brainchild is that of Minister with responsibility for Culture and Health the Hon. Marcella Liburd, who said it has been conceptualised almost three years ago, adding that on making contact with Taiwanese Ambassador His Excellency Miguel Tsao, he expressed willingness to assist in making the facility a reality.

    The sod for the project was turned in late January and was to have been accessible to the people of the area sometime in April. However, because of some setbacks, the facility was not delivered until yesterday.

    Minister Liburd said she observed that children were not privileged enough to have yard space in which they could play and had resorted to playing in the streets. And a workable solution had to be found and it came in the form of the Family Park.

    The Parliamentary Representative for the Constituency in which the Park sits (Number Two), explained that the collaborative effort between the Governments of Taiwan and St. Kitts and Nevis is part of the “Stronger Families, Safer Communities” motto and would promote intergenerational bonding, education of children and the reduction of childhood obesity.

    Ambassador Tsao also spoke at the event, indicating that when the proposal of a family park was made, it was swiftly approved by both Governments and they worked assiduously to complete the project.

    In addition to being the only one of its kind in the sub-region, Ambassador Tsao said the New Road Family Park is weather-resistant.

    The colourful facility, bearing equipment for both adults and children, was toured after the ribbon was cut by Ambassador Tsao, Prime Minister the Rt. Hon. Dr.Denzil Douglas, Governor General His Excellency Edmund Lawrence and Lady Lawrence, Speaker of the House the Hon. Curtis Martin and others.

    Both adults and children, even the Prime Minister, were observed physically testing the equipment.

    Speaking with SKNVibes following the opening, Minister Liburd said she was happy to finally deliver the Park which was promised earlier this year.

    “We are very excited that we have reached this stage and we could open the Family Park. It gives a sense of achievement and I think it is something that is well-needed, not only in this community but in the entire country. Because...we have many, many hundreds of children and there is really no place for them to play in a safe environment, a learning environment…”

    She informed that a parking lot and an area to provide shelter would form part of the next phase of the project. She however did not indicate when it will begin.

    A maintenance crew and security have been implemented to oversee operations at the Park, and park wardens are to be trained in time for the Monday (Dec. 22) opening date.

    For the time being, the Park would be opened from 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. and over time that would be revisited and revised, according to the Minister.

    Her word of caution to the people of the community, having committed the Park into their care, is that they should ensure it is not abused and misused.
     
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