The Gros Islet Recreational Beach Park officially opened its gates on August 15th, marking the fulfillment of a long-held dream for the community. Designed as a hub for family activities, social events, and cultural gatherings, the park stands as both a recreational asset and a symbol of local determination.
Gros Islet MP Kenson Casimir hailed the project as a milestone for the constituency, noting its roots in community vision and persistence.
“This park is a testament to the people of Gros Islet, your patience, your belief, and your commitment to quality development. We’ve faced challenges, but we came back to the drawing board, executed the plan, and I’m proud this project was delivered by contractors from our own constituency,” Casimir said, adding that the park would serve as a venue for family fun days, concerts, and major cultural events year-round.
Casimir also expressed gratitude to those who first conceived the idea, singling out a man affectionately known as “Simple.”
For Simple, the opening marked the realization of a nearly two-decade vision.
“We wanted to create a place for children, families, and visitors to enjoy. I don’t have kids, but I knew we were missing something like this in Gros Islet. We made proposals, faced setbacks, but I never gave up. I worked nights, put up poles, kept pushing, and today, we see the dream come true. I’m happy, we made it happen,” he said.
Minister for Culture, Tourism, and Creative Industries Dr. Ernest Hilaire praised both the vision and perseverance behind the project, using Simple’s story as a symbol of what community-driven development can achieve.
“You listen to Simple and you can appreciate the passion he had, and still has, for this project. Nearly 20 years ago, he dreamt of a park where children could play, families could gather, and visitors could enjoy themselves. This is more than just a park; it represents opportunity. It will create economic possibilities for ordinary Saint Lucians to benefit from tourism, not just the large hotels, but small vendors, artisans, and local entrepreneurs,” Dr. Hilaire said.
He further noted that the park aligns with a broader government vision to give Saint Lucians greater ownership of the tourism industry and ensure that the benefits of the island’s natural resources flow primarily to its people.
“Our beautiful beaches, rivers, waterfalls, and mountains belong collectively to Saint Lucians. Projects like this ensure that wealth generated from them benefits our citizens first. When we see children enjoying this park, weddings taking place here, vendors earning a living, and cultural events bringing people together, we see the dream made real, not just for Simple, but for all of us.”
Dr. Hilaire also revealed plans for additional beach parks and public facilities across the island, including new developments in Roseau, Rodney Bay, and other scenic locations, emphasizing that such investments will improve both resident and visitor experiences while creating economic opportunities.
As part of its inaugural events, the Gros Islet Recreational Beach Park will host a free concert on August 31, with a schedule of ongoing activities, seasonal festivals, and vendor opportunities already in the works.
