Mayor Suggests Daily Reggae Offering at Turtle River Park in Ocho Rios

In the bustle of Ocho Rios, St. Ann, where cruise ships drift in and out of the harbour and hotel lobbies buzz with the day’s plans, a quiet public space sits in the heart of town – Turtle River Park.

A three-hectare green oasis that was once a central bus park, it has long served as a tranquil counterpoint to the town’s commercial tempo.

Now, Mayor of St. Ann’s Bay, Councillor Michael Belnavis, argues for a bolder, daytime role for the park, one that could fuse Jamaica’s famous reggae heartbeat with the needs of visitors and locals alike.

“What currently exists is that unless there’s a function, the park is very much underutilised during much of the daytime,” Mr. Belnavis tells JIS News in a recent interview.

He stresses that the space could be repurposed without sacrificing its character. “I am saying that with some level of creativity we can change that equation where we could do something to get our visitors to come over and enjoy some real authentic reggae music to further enhance their Ocho Rios and Jamaican experience,” he adds.

Mr. Belnavis, who also chairs the National Cruise Council, envisions daytime reggae performances as a natural anchor for Turtle River Park. Live music, he argues, could attract cruise passengers looking for a compact, authentic Jamaican experience just steps from their ships, as well as hotel guests seeking a respite from sun and poolside dining.

“The concept is not about building a concert venue but about reimagining how the park can function as a flexible, welcoming stage,” the Mayor adds.

The park’s history gives context to the idea. Officially opened on June 18, 2004, Turtle River Park began as a landscaped transformation of a once-bustling bus park.

The Urban Development Corporation (UDC) undertook the redevelopment to create a green space that could serve as a quiet, free public haven in the town centre. A central river and pond system, home to fish and turtles, gives the park its name and character.

The site also offers gardens, walking paths, benches, a playground, and a snack kiosk.

The UDC’s ongoing management has kept the park relevant, with refurbishments to maintain its role as a “hidden gem” in downtown Ocho Rios.

Mr. Belnavis credits the UDC for its stewardship, while promoters have already used the space for a variety of events. The proposal, however, is to harness the daytime potential in ways that amplify Jamaica’s cultural appeal without compromising the park’s laid-back vibe.

The concept has drawn support from prominent local voices who see tangible, trickledown benefits for Ocho Rios and its people.

Double V Plaza owner and long-time St. Ann businessman, Colin Mills, speaks of opportunity with optimism.

“The daytime reggae show could turn Turtle River Park into a living postcard for visitors. It’s about extending the town’s rhythms into daylight hours, so people can experience Jamaica’s music while enjoying the natural setting,” he says.

Scuba Diving Operator and owner of Garfield’s Diving, Garfield Dussard, highlights a different but complementary angle – the park’s proximity to the sea and the town’s tourism economy makes it a magnet for cruise passengers seeking a compact, authentic Jamaican experience without venturing far from the port.

“The value is in creating a simple, accessible stage where visitors and locals mingle. If the park can host daytime reggae, it could become a natural waypoint for cruise patrons who want a slice of Jamaica’s soul,” Mr. Dussard says.

Promoter and sound engineer with hands-on experience in live events, Mortimer Martin, speaks to practical considerations.

“A daytime schedule means we have to plan around heat, safety, and crowd flow. But with careful staging, sound management, and a rotation of artistes, Turtle River Park could deliver reliable, quality entertainment that benefits local musicians and service workers, from taxi drivers to food vendors,” he says.

The broader tourism ecosystem in Ocho Rios could stand to gain from a daytime reggae programme, others argue.

Live performances can extend the town’s tourist-season shoulder periods, provide ongoing employment for skill sets in sound engineering, stage management, and hospitality, and showcase Jamaica’s cultural heritage in a format accessible to families and independent travellers alike.

Importantly, supporters stress, the plan would not be about replacing traditional nighttime events but about creating a complementary daytime rhythm that speaks to the warmth and spontaneity of Jamaican life.

Mr. Belnavis adds that geographic location is also important, noting that the park’s proximity to Milford Road, Main Street, and DaCosta Drive makes it accessible to both foot and shuttle traffic, a practical advantage for any daytime reggae programming.

Mr. Belnavis’ vision centres around a future in which the park serves as a flexible, living stage, a place where cruise visitors disembark and stroll into a curated sequence of authentic reggae moments, where hotel guests stroll over for a midday pulse of Jamaica’s musical soul, and where locals find new opportunities to connect with a town that has long been a crossroads of culture and commerce.