The opening of Anguilla’s first national Green Space, located at the Agricultural Department in the Valley, was held last Friday afternoon, November 24th.
The invocation and dedicatory prayer was offered by Pastor Rondy Isles. Apart from giving thanks for the outdoor facility, he prayed that time spent at the Green Space would be a time of reflection, refreshment and enjoyable fellowship.
The Green Space is designed to meet the leisure needs of family and friends who would visit the scene to enjoy a relaxing environment and social interaction. It provides a refreshing scenery of nature for the community to savour.
The Director of Agriculture, Mr. William Vanterpool, said that with the upcoming expansion of the Clayton J. Lloyd International Airport, occasions to enjoy the natural scenery at the nearby Freedom Park would be lost. He said the Department of Natural Resources was tasked with indentifying and creating an alternative Green Space for members of the community to spend time socially at their leisure.
Mr. Vanterpool encouraged the public to take advantage of using the Green Space, and to take good care of it.
Youth Minister of Sustainability, Innovation and the Environment, Ms. Savannah Croft, spoke of the benefits of the Green Space: “I am a strong lover of the environment,” she claimed. “My access to green spaces have significantly improved my mental and physical health. By being in a green space, I was able to learn how to value nature and appreciate the environment for what it has to offer. I am proud for Anguilla to have this green space and I encourage our [people and our] youth to treat it with respect.”
The Honourable Minister of Sustainability, Innovation and the Environment, Mrs. Quincia Gumbs-Marie, said: “This is a space that is specifically designed for you to relax in, enjoy nature and find a sense of calm. This is a space where you can spend time catching up with friends, playing with your children, or even reconnecting with yourself.”
The Minister noted that in a world where busyness is touted as a badge of honour, more and more persons are plagued with health issues that are brought on by fatigue and stress. “People spend less time outdoors, and sadly, less time with their families and loved ones,” she said. She encouraged the people of the community to come and sit and relax for free in the new Green Space.
She reflected: “When I envisioned the Green Space, I imagined a place where people can come and enjoy themselves while enjoying a moment of calm and the tranquil environment that Anguilla has to offer them.”
The new Green Space at the Agricultural Department grounds is opened from sunrise to sunset, and the grounds are attended to and maintained on a daily basis.
