Restoration, upgrades and activities planned for National Parks

WEDNESDAY, NOV. 7: Good afternoon,

Bermuda has some of the most beautiful National Parks in the world….and as such; we will be looking to make greater use of them in 2013. 

These parks offer great sceneries as well as a place for locals to get away from their hectic schedules for rest… recreation… and rejuvenation.

Adding to the enjoyment of the Parks experience previously mentioned, we will be hosting more family oriented activities such as:

• Movie Nights
• Concerts
• A Christmas Craft Market; and,
• Plant Displays

I would like to note that these activities will be free to the public… and will offer the community a safe and economically viable option to spend time with family away from home in the evenings.

The movie series will run two weekends per month starting in May and running to September in a variety of locations such as the Arboretum, the Bermuda Botanical Gardens and Fort St. Catherine.

Another key initiative that my Ministry will be progressing in 2013 – and in fact is already underway – is the upgrading of the restroom facilities.

The aim is to ensure total enjoyment of our National Parks by locals and visitors alike.

Not only will upgrades be undertaken to the existing facilities, but new facilities will be built in the areas that have been identified…..and some of these new facilities will be constructed utilizing small contractors – thereby providing work for the smaller contractors in our efforts to stimulate job creation.

The Department of Parks will also continue with their renovations to the playgrounds in the National Parks system.

You may recall I re-opened the Mullet Bay Playground a few weeks back.  This playground is now equipped with new equipment for all of the children to enjoy. 

The next playground on the list is the Parsons Road Playground which will be done in a two phased upgrade approach.

The First phase will see a new Spray Park installed that will provide the children with water play in a safe environment.

The second phase will see upgrades to the aging playground equipment, thus breathing life back into this extremely popular… and heavily used playground in Pembroke.

After many years of talk regarding the Marsh Folly Dump, I am happy to report that this Government is delivering on its promise to convert the Marsh Folly Facility into the future Pembroke Park and Nature Reserve. 

We have long realized the importance of this space to the residents of one of Bermuda’s most populated and urbanized parishes.  So now we want to make this a reality!

Again, I am pleased to report that the first phase of the restoration work is already underway.

Important not only for its rare ecology, supporting rare resident and wintering water birds, this Nature Reserve is an important holding area for storm water runoff.

Restoration of the marsh will not only create an important natural habitat…..and beautiful vistas for surrounding residents…..it will also help reduce future flooding along Pembroke Canal.

Over the next three years the Reserve will be restored as an oasis for wildlife, with natural islands, scenic overlooks and walking paths.

It is anticipated that this restoration initiative will create work opportunities for local contractors in the fields of dredging, landscaping and trucking.

In consultation with the Ministry of Education, pedestrian crossings near school zones will be elevated to reduce the speed of traffic in these areas.

Coupled with this initiative, we will also continue with plans to install beacon lights at school crossings.

As the safety of our children is of paramount importance, this work will be prioritized in the Public Works road maintenance plan in the upcoming year.

Finally, the Ministry will continue with its upgrades to Bermuda’s highway infrastructure.

In particular, energy will be directed towards ensuring sidewalks around the island are readily accessible to persons with mobility challenges.

This will include the removal of all trip hazards so that access points on and off sidewalks will be made wheelchair friendly.

I would like to conclude by stating that this Government takes seriously the well-being of all its citizens. 

And with this particular initiative, those whose mobility is limited such as the elderly and physically challenged.