THE EDITOR, Sir:
HAVING ATTENDED the inaugural concert of the Jamaica Military Band put on at the Emancipation Park in November along with a number of concerts held during Christmas there are a number of things that I would like to highlight.
The present facility is quite good as it serves as a repository for cultural activities as was seen by the use of Jonkunnu character effigies to decorate the park during the Christmas season and the fare that was provided through the entertainment activities that have been put on by the Emancipation Park Committee.
It was quite pleasurable to see people interacting and children running all over the place, while they mix and mingle with others with no regard to social divisions or class.
I have a number of observations of things that could be put in place to make the facility more "user friendly".
Firstly, there should be the construction of a gazebo to facilitate users of the park having a place to shelter from the elements.
There should be two places provided for the securing of bicycles for people who are using the park as at present they have to push their bicycles into the park where they can keep a watchful eye on their possession.
A water cooler should be provided for patrons, as there is no source for getting water when one is thirsty.
A small play area for children with probably some swings and a slide.
The verges should be planted with some hardy plants e.g. cacti to prevent people from using the verges as a footpath.
The provision of "passive" open space for the residents of Kingston and St. Andrew is welcome; however there is a need for the provision of "active" open space.
A policy for the provision of "active" open space needs to be clearly defined as the creation of Emancipation Park has sidelined another group of people who found this open space as a source for relieving stress and a means of socialising without being harassed on the "corner" having no place to go. There could have possibly been a marrying of the two ideas to create a properly managed and maintained facility which would allow for the creation and promotion of a healthy lifestyle for residents and workers within this geographical area.
The provision of another open space close to the New Kingston area to facilitate the playing of football as the New Kingston and the Oxford football leagues engendered a lot of participation from the various companies within the financial and commercial district of New Kingston who are now left without a place to pursue their football activities. This I feel should be actively pursued as the social benefits to the Jamaican society are enormous.
I am, etc.,
JEFFREY CARLYLE
Carisbrook P.A.
St. Elizabeth
