THE MINISTRY of Local Government, Community Development and Sport is looking for additional funding to complete the redevelopment of National Heroes Park, Kingston.
Director of Urban and Regional Planning Lorna Perkins told JIS News that five years on the project has been progressing fairly well. However, Ms. Perkins said private sector funding was being solicited and Minister Portia Simpson Miller is seeking support for extra funding from the Cabinet.
A GEM IN JAMAICA
"National Heroes Park is a gem in Jamaica. This is where our National Heroes, our Prime Ministers and distinguished Jamaicans are buried. It is one of the most important places in our history and therefore it needs to be preserved in the best way," said Ms. Perkins.
The 20-hectare park's four-phase development was budgeted at $250 million with $50 million having being spent on the first phase, due to be completed by the end of this year.
The redevelopment was announced in 2000 with plans being started in 2001 following community meetings with residents of surrounding communities such as Fletchers Land and Allman Town.
In the first phase, said Ms. Perkins, "... we have been concentrating on putting in the irrigation, fixing the well, and ensuring that the lighting facilities and all the infrastructure aspect of the work is done."
Work has also started at the Eventide Memorial Site, in recognition of the scores of victims who perished in a fire and were buried there in a mass grave.
The second phase will complete the perimeter fencing, pathways and water features, and see the installation of a main entry gate on the park's northeastern side.
The final two phases will see administrative and recreational facilities built, benches laid, trellises and gazebos put up and the grounds landscaped.
The multi-purpose park is planned to include gardens, an amphitheatre and recreational areas. A sports complex is to be built on the park's west side with an indoor recreational complex. This is to include the upgrading of the Guinness boxing gym, squash courts, a table tennis area and a swimming pool.
