Phoenix Park

Taking a plunge into the Demerara River

A small community in the Klein/Pouderoyen area, Phoenix Park is home to approximately 300 residents.

Said to be the first cooperative self-help housing scheme in Guyana, the community once called ‘Crab Bush’ was officially opened in November, 1966; the Barrs were the very first family to live in the village.

A number of taxis are parked along the road, obliquely opposite the Klein/Pouderoyen Neighbourhood Democratic Council building, but the community is relatively quiet,

Taking a plunge into the Demerara River

so much so that even before one reaches the last street of the village running parallel to the Demerara River, one can hear the birds and monkeys. Walking through the street, one can see mangroves growing so closely together that the river is hidden from view. A squirrel monkey commonly known as the sakiwinki swung from one of the hanging vines. Blue sakies and kiskadees flew between fruit trees planted by the road. A few cows and goats grazed guarded by some cranes, a pair of doves picked between the grass in a corner and dragonflies buzzed about.