David Allard from The Informer shares the story:
The trees growing at the Lagoon Road area, now the Kirani James Boulevard were planted for a reason. Those flamboyant trees at the Fall Edge in Grand Anse did not just spring up by themselves but were planted there. And now, all in the name of the de-bushing program with unprofessional pruners, you just “butcher” those trees.
According to Mr John Criswick, “as someone who helped to create the Lagoon Park in the 1980s, and who donated the trees, rescuing the Lagoon from being a garbage dump with old trees and tires etc. I am horrified to see those anti-social elements are allowed to destroy what took years to create. Could the same thing happen to our attempt to create a garden at Grand Etang”?
The parked vehicles on the planted grass is another indication that there is no longer any concern for caring and preserving what was once a dump and have been turned into a park. Apart from the beautification and preservation of this park for the persons living in the area who from time to time would want to enjoy the lovely scenery and beauty, it is believed by many concerned citizens that in marketing our tourist product, one does not want to see the Kirani James Boulevard as a dump once more, but instead, the efforts, which have been made over the years to maintain and enhance the area as a well-kept park should at least be respected.
It is said that the Ministry of Agriculture is responsible for that area. However, the Forestry Division is supposed to be responsible for any pruning or enhancing. Sadly, however, it was brought to our attention that the Ministry of Works, which randomly selects folks for the de-bushing program forgot that this was a park and not the forest, so the usual unprofessional persons given fortnight work, used the opportunity to “butcher” the trees, which took years to grow.
It is unfortunate to see such a beautiful area tended poorly. Grenada should be the jewel of the Caribbean. We have some of the best soil, the friendliest people and a wonderful climate. Professional tree work does not take much longer than having unprofessionals hack away at what should be beautiful specimens of what can grow here. We hope to see the Ministry of Agriculture take notice, as there are many good people in the office who know how to take care of foliage properly.