Resilience park will add value to Portmore

THE EDITOR, Sir:

I am writing with reference to the article ‘UDC to develop resilience park for Portmore’, published on October 19. The development of a Portmore resilience park has been long awaited by the residents of Portmore.

This upgrade will be a mammoth project. The park will make provision for a green space that will not only foster recreation, but increased environmental awareness. Green spaces mitigate the effects of climate change and irreparable damage to the natural ecosystem. Our country is moving in the right direction of advocating for environmental health.

But, there are some critical questions that remain unanswered. Why has it taken so long for this park to be completed after financial aid was provided by Germany? Why did the Government of Jamaica have to step in to complete the project? What happened to the $160 million received for the initial climate change park? The municipal authorities have never answered these questions.

Portmore citizens have long envisioned a self-sufficient community with the future expansions and the coming of this long-awaited resilience park. People want to enjoy the outdoors.

While we await the specifications of the design, the quality public infrastructural work undertaken by the UDC is proof that the Portmore resilience park promises that same eminence. This is an exceptional achievement for Portmore; it will add value to the parish status as well as create new recreational opportunities and community engagement.

DAMARA LAWSON

Vice-president

G2K Portmore Chapter