St Kitts and Nevis: New road family park re-opens, know deets

St Kitts and Nevis: The Government of St Kitts and Nevis, through the Ministry of Social Development and Gender Affairs, today (Monday, January 23) officially reopened the New Road Family Park.

The renovations of the Family Park were completed with the assistance of the Embassy of the Republic of China (Taiwan).

The park was declared open following a ribbon-cutting ceremony which was attended by Cabinet officials led by Prime Minister Dr Terrance Drew, Deputy Prime Minister Dr Geoffrey Hanley and Parliamentary Representative for the New Road area, Marsha Henderson.

Resident Ambassador of the Republic of China (Taiwan) to St. Kitts and Nevis, Michael Lin and residents of New Road and the surrounding communities were also in attendance.

The New Road Family Park is now open for family recreation, following the Official Re-Opening and Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony, which was held on Monday, January 23, on the Park Grounds.

The Ceremony was graced by several persons, including Prime Minister and Ministers of Cabinet, representatives of the Republic of China on Taiwan, former Government Officials, members of the New Road Community, and several excited children and parents.

In giving an overview of the Project, Azilla Clarke-Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Social Development & Gender Affairs, advised that the decision had been taken not to reopen the Park after its 2020 COVID-19 closure, due to the discovery of land undermining on the Eastern grounds.

She thanked the Republic of China on Taiwan for their ready offer of financial assistance to rehabilitate the grounds and provide new equipment, at a cost of US$350,000, and solicited the general public’s support in caring for the new Facility.

Micheal Lin affirmed that the Republic of China on Taiwan was happy to fund the Park’s rehabilitation, declaring that it was the perfect New Year’s gift to commemorate the Republic’s ‘Year of the Rabbit’ as well as the current 40th Anniversary of Diplomatic Relations with St. Kitts and Nevis.

In a similar vein, Minister Geoffrey Hanley announced the Government’s pleasure at the Park’s reopening, noting that it represented their ongoing commitment to build strong families and communities. He also informed of future plans to utilize the lands on the Eastern and Southern side of the Park for family fun and enjoyment, including biking and walking trails.

After the official speeches and ribbon-cutting, the general public was invited to tour the new Park grounds. The newly reopened Park will be overseen by custodian Imelda Richards while a new Management structure is established, under the overall supervision of the Department of Community Development of Social Services