Children enjoying the new recreational facilities at Belfield, Black Rock.??
Barbadians must take greater care of government recreational facilities.
This call has come from General Manager of the National Conservation Commission (NCC), Keith Neblett, at the official opening of a play park at Belfield, Black Rock, last Saturday.
Mr. Neblett stressed that the creation of recreational areas was important "for fostering a better family life", since "working together was all part of the socialisation process that brought families closer".
The General Manager also pointed out that there were now approximately 42 parks in the country, and there was the possibility of 126 more being created with assistance from the private sector.
However, in order for the initiative to be successful, he contended, more community commitment and mobilisation was needed. "We do not have enough rangers to place at all the parks… so we need persons in the community to take charge, because the community is stronger than the individual," he observed.
Mr. Neblett added that more spaces needed to be created for children to use for recreational purposes and he indicated that the Commission was willing to work with Constituency Councils, in this regard.
He further mentioned that the new board would be concentrating on conservation efforts, and to this end, solar energy and water-saving devices were being utilised at Bath, St. John.
The NCC Head also noted his organisation was looking to plant more trees, especially to coincide with Arbor Day on September 22.?? In light of this, he advised: "If you can identify areas where trees are needed, we will try to plant a tree." This, he suggested, would help to make Barbados a "lot more sustainable".
In his remarks, NCC Chairman, Tyrone Lowe, said it was his organisation’s intention to provide a play park in every community in Barbados, "so that the youth could have areas to recreate and adults a place to relax". This, he stated, would engender "a wholesome community spirit, where neighborhoods would become a part of the extended family environment".
He implored residents to see the park as a model for all communities and an extension of their property.