Rudolph Elder Park in Morant Bay to Undergo Redevelopment

By: Mickella Anderson-Gordon, January 8, 2026

Economic Growth & Infrastructure Development

Rudolph Elder Park in Morant Bay to Undergo Redevelopment — Photo: Janell Henderson
Mayor of Morant Bay, Councillor Louis Chin (third right); Chief Executive Officer of the St. Thomas Municipal Corporation, Kevin McIndoe (fifth left); and Senior Director of Urban Renewal in the Ministry of Economic Growth and Infrastructure Development (MEGID), Raymond Poyser (fourth left), look at plans for the redevelopment of the Rudolph Elder Park in Morant Bay during a site visit on January 7. The visit also included councillors and technical staff of the Municipal Corporation as well as other representatives from the MEGID.

The Full Story

Plans are under way for the comprehensive redevelopment of Rudolph Elder Park in Morant Bay to enhance recreation, preserve history and spur economic activity in St. Thomas.

Mayor of Morant Bay and Chairman of the St. Thomas Municipal Corporation, Councillor Louis Chin, led a site visit at the area alongside representatives from the Ministry of Economy Growth and Infrastructure Development (MEGID) on Wednesday (January 7).

The project, being funded by the MEGID, will significantly improve the park’s infrastructure while creating a more modern, accessible and welcoming space for residents and visitors.

Among the planned features are a water fountain, basketball and football courts, additional parking spaces as well as shops for rent.

“We are upgrading and fixing up the park. This will be a good look for Morant Bay and for St. Thomas,” the Mayor said in an interview with JIS News.

The project will go to tender before the end of the current financial year with an estimated four to six months procurement process before a contract is awarded. Works are expected to begin by the second quarter of the 2026/27 financial year.

Mayor Chin said that community involvement will be central to the process, assuring that the people of St. Thomas will have a voice in shaping the project.

“We are doing this for the people of St. Thomas so the people will have a say in everything that we’re doing,” the Mayor affirmed.

Chief Executive Officer, St. Thomas Municipal Corporation, Kevin McIndoe, told JIS News that the entity will seek support from various stakeholders “to assist us in maintaining this important infrastructure in Morant Bay”.

He said that plans are being explored to incorporate historical storytelling elements within the park, to educate visitors about Rudolph Elder and honour Morant Bay’s rich cultural and historical legacy.

“Having a park with the historical context that reflects the culture and ethos of the people of St. Thomas is very important. We believe that apart from the physical infrastructure here, the historical account of Morant Bay and Rudolph Elder will be critical in terms of keeping the younger generation informed,” Mr. McIndoe said.

Deputy Mayor and Councillor of the Dalvey Division, Michael McCleod, highlighted the park’s importance to daily community life, noting that it serves as a hub for recreation, relaxation, education and transit.

“Residents use this park in many ways. Students come here in the evenings to do homework using the park’s Wi-Fi, taxi operators rest here during breaks, and people from surrounding communities gather while waiting on transportation,” he noted.

Councillor McCleod is looking forward to the project, which will restore cherished memories while introducing modern amenities.

“When I was a little boy, I used to come over here and enjoy the slide, the pool and the fountain. Seeing plans to bring back some of these elements, with even more added, tells me we are moving forward,” the Deputy Mayor said.