First Lady Ayra Ali’s drive to beautify public spaces for the benefit and enjoyment of residents continues with the commissioning of new parks in Region Six.
A release from the Office of the First Lady yesterday announced that two new recreational parks in the villages of Brothers and Lonsdale, on the East Bank of Berbice, Region Six have been commissioned by the First Lady under her National Beautification Project.
The release explained that the aim of the National Beautification Project is to safeguard the scenic qualities of Guyana’s roadways, urban spaces, and countryside through scenic revitalization, and promote social cohesion through community development and recreational activities.
It also informed that the parks which were built through a collaboration between the Office of the First Lady and the Ministry of Public Works, have been equipped with gazebos, benches, garbage receptacles, washroom facilities, and playpark amenities such as swings, slides, and seesaws for children.
In her remarks at the launch yesterday, Mrs Ali said that when she assumed office in 2020, she made a commitment to use her office to improve the lives of the Guyanese people through a number of targeted projects.
“Public parks, like these two, fall under the category of essential public services. A robust ecosystem of public parks followed by frequent recreation programs for public participation can significantly elevate the status of a community and improve the lives of residents”.
She added that public recreational parks help to improve the quality of life of people by promoting physical activities and an appreciation for the natural environment.
“With modern lifestyle choices and practices exposing many of us to heart disease, obesity and other disorders, parks like this one serve to encourage physical fitness and are great alternatives to the gym,” Ali noting while referencing research which shows that people living within a mile of a park are likely to experience less stress than people with no access to recreational spaces.
Further, parks also provide a sense of identity and belonging to community members, as they are a focal point in communities where people of different ethnic groups, religious backgrounds, and even social class converge to share experiences.
The facilities have also created employment opportunities for residents of the communities.
“Apart from the persons who were employed to de-sign and build these parks, we will have parttime workers managing them and that will create additional employment opportunities for the residents of these communities,” the First Lady informed.
Meanwhile, Regional Chairman of Region Six, David Armogan commended the initiative by the First Lady which he posited is greatly appreciated by the residents of those communities.
