Park for seniors on King’s House lands gets thumbs up

Plans to establish a new park on sections of land at King’s House for senior citizens are being hailed as a move in the right direction by stakeholders and at least one Corporate Area member of parliament.

Prime Minister Dr Andrew Holness, in his Budget Debate presentation last week, said that, in commemoration of its 50th anniversary, the National Housing Trust would, this year, break ground for two new state parks.

He said discussions have already started with Governor General Sir Patrick Allen on developing a park on King’s House lands. The other park will be established in Manchester, but the prime minister said discussions were under way with the local municipality to determine the location.

Founder of the Caribbean Community of Retired Persons Jean Lowrie-Chin welcomed the announcement, saying that seniors need a place where they can exercise safely.

While seniors are happy for Emancipation Park in New Kingston, Lowrie-Chin said many of them have indicated that it was very difficult to get there with the heavy traffic in the area.

SAFER AREAS FOR SENIOR

“I think that this is a great step forward for seniors. We have, in general, been saying our seniors need safer areas in which to exercise, to get some fresh air, to get some sun without being worried about their security,” she told The Gleaner.

“I have always passed that place on East King’s House Road and said ‘What a perfect place it would be for our seniors’. We are very happy to hear this,” she said.

Another key advocate for seniors, Professor Denise Eldemire-Shearer, director of the Mona Ageing and Wellness Centre at The University of the West Indies, said a new park on King’s House lands for the elderly was a wonderful idea.

Giving her full endorsement, Eldemire-Shearer said once it is planned for the elderly, she is assuming that the walkways would be appropriately designed to accommodate wheelchairs and caregivers.

“I am sure that appropriate planning would go into it,” she added.

Member of Parliament for St Andrew South East Julian Robinson said sections of lands on the King’s House property could be appropriately used for a park as there was need for more recreation space in the Corporate Area where people can walk, exercise, relax, and enjoy nature.

“I support that, and I believe there is enough land there that it would not at all infringe on the residence of the governor general,” he said.

He said a park should also be built at National Heroes Circle where children can play and move away from digital devices and get involved in physical activities.

Robinson also suggested that every parish should have a park as it is important for physical and mental well-being and to encourage people to enjoy the outdoors.

edmond.campbell@gleanerjm.com