'Redemption Song' standing tall and proud. -Rudolph Brown photoTanya Batson-Savage, Staff Reporter
EMANCIPATION PARK in New Kingston may have broken some kind of record.
With the dawn of another 'Augus Mawnin' (August 1), it is now one year old and it still looks good. No orange or green flags have been posted and there are no 'crab-toe' etchings declaring who 'wuz ere' or which political party to vote for. Even signs declaring 'L.A. Lewis We Love You' are missing.
Additionally, though there are rules posted at the entrance, none of them declare 'No piss yah so' and, despite that, the smell of urine is not in evidence.
In the year since its rebirth the park, nestled in the junction of Oxford Road and Knutsford Boulevard, New Kingston, has impacted on the lives of Kingstonians. Emancipation Park has brought to the concrete and saturated fat jungle of New Kingston a green space where people can exercise or simple sit and enjoy some cool breeze.
PROGRAMMED TO MUSIC
The major water fountain, which is programmed to music, provides its own entertainment as the water, able to gush more than 5 metres high, creates its own dance. Another fountain forms an arc at the ceremonial entrance, where the newly unveiled Redemption Song statue also stands, while a third fountain and reflecting pool leads from the ceremonial entrance.
The 500m jogging track (100 metres longer than the National Stadium athletic track) has become a regular spot for many walkers and joggers, who use it regardless of which event is taking place in the park at that time.
The park has also become a regular spot to take wedding photographs, for family picnics or simply as a place to take a break from the tedium of life. Additionally, numerous concerts and other events, all free, have taken place in the park over the year.
A SHORTCUT
Not so long ago, Liguanea Park had been a space housing a few trees and some weeds, camouflaged as grass, struggling for dear life. With the exception of burgeoning sports enthusiasts using it as a practice space (hopefully they have found an alternative) and pedestrians using it as a shortcut to or from Knutsford Boulevard, the space was only visited if there was a circus in town or as the terminal point for all those chipping down the road on 'Carnival Day'.
Now it is Emancipation Park and it receives an estimated 700 visitors each day. This number easily swells to 1,500 on weekends, and 3,000 when there are concerts.
It has not been all smooth sailing, however. On last Boxing Day many feared that the park had met its untimely end and
would follow its predecessors down the path to disrepair. In a gross showing of crassness, persons entered the park and reportedly threw bottles into the reflecting pools, used firecrackers and stole chairs and lighting fixtures. The result was that the park was closed until January 2. Fortunately, since then, no major incidents have been reported.
At first glance, it is easy to see that Emancipation Park is beautifully constructed and this may partly explain what has attracted visitors. The beautiful stones, decorative limestone, present a kaliedoscope of blue ivory and white, which make up most of the walls, which are one of the most prominent features. Additionally 'Redemption Song', the bronze statue featuring a man and woman on a dome looking toward the sky, towering to over 3.5 metres, become a sight to see on Thursday night.
Although it met with a few critics, the park, which cost $100 million to put up, subsequently earned a lot of approval, which has not abated.
As the years go by, the park's flora will add considerable beauty. Currently, bougainvillaea and other shrubs add their colour to the site. However, there are also several palms of the royal, butt thatch and travellers palm varieties. Like the other trees, these palms have not yet reached maturity. Several young Lignum Vitae trees which bring those tiny lilac flowers and light yellow butterflies (unfortunately preceded by caterpillars) can be seen. The grounds also features young Blue Mahoe (the national tree), which add its distinctive flower, which changes from primrose in the morning to orange and deep red in the day
Several Poor Man's Orchid have already reached sufficient height to give shade. However, the several Yellow Poui trees and Poincianas (popularly called Cockfight) which pepper the park are still at shrub height. One of the criticisms levelled at the park is that despite its name, it bears no historical marks. While this is in large part true, three symbols that can be seen all around the park are a mark of the country's African heritage. The Adrinka symbols Futumfrafo, the Wafa Aba, and the Eban are from Gyaman people of the Ivory Coast and the Ashanti of Ghana. The Futumfrafo, which means 'unity and diversity' is the sign which most dominates the park, as it symbolises the essence of the Jamaican motto. The sign is a two-headed crocodile and can be seen at the entrances. The sign also pops up on the base of the benches, as well as on the garbage holders. The Wafa Aba, which means 'strength', runs along the top of the perimeter fence, while the Eban, meaning 'security', runs along its base.
EVENTS
It is not merely the atmosphere which brings people to the park. Since its rise from the dust of Liguanea Park, Emancipation Park has hosted a wide variety of events, including 'World Population Day' celebrations; the launch of the 'It Haffi Legal' public education campaign; the United States Jazz Ambassador's 2003 concert 'Free Your Spirit'; the celebration of the 150th year since the birth of Jose Marti by the Cuban Embassy; the first round of the first cheerleading competition and the Walk and Run Health Festival."
Additionally, the Jamaica Defence Force Military Band does a monthly concert in the park, while a series of concerts such as 'Christmas in the Park' and the current 'Summer in the Park' have also taken place.
As such, the park has managed to be a home to music, drama and educational programmes. The programmes have included performances by The National Pantomime, L'Acadco, Ashé, Amina Blackwood-Meeks and the Cari-folk Singers. It has become that space where Jamaican culture is put on display for public consumption - and the public appears to be contentedly eating it up.
Lisa Grant, the park manager, noted that almost anybody can perform in the park, if they are able to meet the requirements. She explained that banners are not allowed in the venue, nor is any vending, and all events have to be free. She also pointed out that the board governing the park would be unlikely to approve a show featuring top popular acts, since they would draw a crowd beyond the park's capacity. Since the Boxing Day disruption, a ceiling of 7,000 people at any one time has been put in place.What has all this meant to Jamaicans however? Andrea Parris-Moseley, in a 'Letter to the Editor in The Gleaner, published on December 30, 2002, declared: "It was with a surge of tremendous pride and light-headedness that I left the Emancipation Park last evening (December 18), having taken my daughters to one of the daily Christmas concerts being put on. The light-headedness was not caused from consumption of the Park's complimentary sorrel; that was non-alcoholic. It came from a renewed feeling of pride in being Jamaican."
Whether or not the park instills pride in all who visit it, its presence seems to have added value which cannot be measured in dollars, but certainly makes good sense. The Sunday Gleaner took a stroll around the park last Thursday, just before noon. Despite the heat beating down on Kingston, the park is surprisingly windy. Although it is by no means at its capacity, there are quite a few people making use of the facilities, while tapes of Miss Lou play through the speakers, probably in preparation for the unveiling of 'Redemption Song', which would take place later in the evening.
The Sunday Gleaner encounters 14-year-old Christine Brown and 11-year-old Jodi King, who were on their way out of the park. Both girls declare that it is their first visit. They note that their original destination was church, however, they decided to stroll through the park because they had extra time. With a shy smile, Christine declares: "I think it is great." Young Jodi quickly agrees.
Simone Watson is using the park as a short cut, but it is her first time going through it. Interestingly, though she notes that work keeps her from enjoying the facility, she has sent her children, chaperoned by her sister, there on public holidays and to participate in a wedding.
ACCOMPLISHMENT
Tyler Chin (16 years old) and Rassy Falloon (18 years old), who are cousins, lounge under a Poor Man's Orchid, enjoying the breeze and eating guineps. They are careful to put all the seeds in a cup. Although both live in the United States, they have been lured to the park because of what they have heard about it. Rassy declares that according to his aunt, the park is Jamaica's biggest recent accomplishment. Both agree that it is a great addition.
Another tree shades Joy Scarlett and several children from McLeod Basic School's summer programme. The party sits on the grass, enjoying the wonders to be found in a bag juice on a hot summer day. Scarlett reveals that she is a regular visitor to the park, as she often takes her children to enjoy the various concerts.
When The Sunday Gleaner leaves Emancipation Park, it is already past noon and the Oxford Road traffic has become a chokehold in the blazing afternoon heat. The park is undisturbed by all this, remaining an oasis of peace and possibility. Its potential as a creative space is probably just being tapped and it must be recognised that it cannot fulfil all the potential of parks. Because of its nature there is not much room to play, or ride bikes or skate. As such, it can only be hoped that other spaces/parks around the city may also be developed over time. Maybe we will not wait for government to undertake the development, because though it might be an air-brained idea, giving children more than concrete to play on and providing spaces where families can enjoy non-cable originated entertainment may be of some value to the nation's development.
