Morant Bay Residents Engaged On Rudolph Elder Park Renovation Project

Residents of Morant Bay, St. Thomas turned out in large numbers to hear plans by the Government for the renovation of the Rudolph Elder Park and give valuable feedback and make recommendations.

Representatives from the Ministry of Economic Growth and Infrastructure Development, which is leading the project, presented the design details to the citizens, and outlined the vision for the physical transformation of the space, during a recent public engagement session held at the park.

Acting Principal Director, Urban Renewal and Planning at the Ministry, Raymond Poyser, underscored the importance of public input in the plans to improve the space, which will provide economic, social, cultural and environmental benefits.

“This session presents the proposed design and planned upgrades while facilitating direct feedback from community members as part of our continued commitment to participatory development and sustainable growth of the parish,” he said.

Mr. Poyser noted that parks serve as “lungs for urban spaces” and are one of the main areas of the Ministry’s urban renewal and development programme.

He said that the Ministry’s vision for Rudolph Elder Park is for a safe, vibrant and inclusive facility that caters to all users.

It will include elements such as a jogging trail, cultural and heritage square, park benches and other furniture, multipurpose courtyard, concessionary area, walkways with ramps, renovated fountain, landscaping and beautification as well as security monitoring.

“When this park is fully upgraded and renovated, it will require enhanced social behaviour to keep it from returning to the state it is in,” Mr. Poyser told the residents, noting that the St. Thomas Municipal Corporation will be working closely with the Ministry on a maintenance plan for the park.

For her part, Acting Chief Technical Director, Housing, Urban Renewal and Projects, Authrine Scarlett, welcomed the large turnout of residents.

She noted that their presence “speaks volumes (and) tells me that you care about the space, that you care about this community, and that you care about the future plans that we have for building this park together.”

Mrs. Scarlett said that true urban renewal is more than just concrete and paint; it is about restoring pride, safety, opportunity creation and shared ownership in communities.

“Parks are more than open spaces. They are where our children play, persons gather to have conversations and persons find an outlet for creative activity. It helps to prevent antisocial behaviour by promoting social cohesion and a healthy lifestyle,” she pointed out.

She explained that the feedback and suggestions of the residents will be documented and the team will “go back to the drawing board and include what you have shared with us, as far as possible, in the final project and in the final design”.

“We don’t want to just design a community for you. We want to design it with you,” she told the residents.

Suggestions from citizens included improved pedestrian access to the park, better garbage management, affordable shop spaces, among other things.