Refurbished Old Folly Scenic Park Officially Opened
By: , June 2, 2024
Photo: Okoye Henry
Tourism Minister, Hon. Edmund Bartlett (fourth right), is joined by other tourism stakeholders in officially opening the newly refurbished Old Folly Scenic Park in Discovery Bay, St. Ann, on May 31.
Photo: Okoye Henry
Tourism Minister, Hon. Edmund Bartlett (left), signs a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), as Executive Director of the Tourism Product Development Company (TPDCo), Wade Mars (seated, centre), and Guardsman Managing Director of Hospitality, Laura Heron (seated, right), look on during the official opening of the newly refurbished Old Folly Scenic Park in Discovery Bay, St. Ann, on May 3. Observing are (standing, from left) Chairman, St. Ann Justices of the Peace Association (SAJPA), Reginald Thorpe; Member of Parliament for St. Ann North West, Krystal Lee; Mayor of St. Ann's Bay, Councillor, Michael Belnavis; and Councillor of the Dry Harbour Division, Carlton Ricketts.
Photo: Okoye Henry
Tourism Minister, Hon. Edmund Bartlett (second right), shows a weed wacker handed over to Guardsman Hospitality Limited, during the official opening of the newly refurbished Old Folly Scenic Park in Discovery Bay, St. Ann, on May 31. Looking on (from left) are Member of Parliament for St. Ann North West, Krystal Lee; Mayor of St. Ann's Bay, Councillor, Michael Belnavis; and Guardsman Managing Director of Hospitality, Laura Heron.The Full Story
Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett, on Friday (May 31) officially opened the newly refurbished Old Folly Scenic Park in Discovery Bay, St. Ann, in a significant move to enhance community spaces and local tourism.
The park, a hallmark of natural beauty and community recreation, underwent extensive rehabilitation through the collaborative efforts of the Tourism Product Development Company (TPDCo) and the Tourism Enhancement Fund (TEF).
The ceremony also marked the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Guardsman Hospitality Limited, which will assume responsibility for the maintenance and upkeep of the park for the next five years.
Mr. Bartlett said the partnership underscores the government’s commitment to public-private partnership, while noting that the development of the space is primarily for the benefit of the local community.
“When we develop the products, we are developing the products primarily with the people of the area in mind. We do not build products in Jamaica for tourists. We build products for the people of Jamaica, and we invite tourists to come and enjoy,” Mr. Bartlett stated.
“So, with this enhancement, what we are trying to do is to bring aesthetics and beauty and to enable environmental beauty to be a reality in the interests of our people,” he added.
Meanwhile, Minister Bartlett informed that $900 million has been set aside to undertake ongoing enhancements along the north coast.
He said the focus this year will be on the stretch from Ocho Rios to Negril, ensuring pristine and attractive spaces for both locals and tourists.
“In the next round the focus will continue all the way around to Morant Bay and then back to Kingston,” the Minister indicated.
For his part, Mayor of St. Ann’s Bay, Councillor Michael Belnavis, acknowledged the work of the TPDCo team in transforming the park into a “majestic stopover and beautification spot.”
He commended the collaboration between the TPDCo, Member of Parliament and the Ministry of Tourism, in making this project a reality.
“This is a good place for the regular folks to come and sit, relax, eat, merrymaker, get close to your maker, and really live the garden parish lifestyle,” Mr. Belnavis said.