Marcus Garvey Memorial Park wait continues
Cnweeklynews.com
Residents of St. Ann’s parish who’ve been waiting patiently to celebrate the opening of the Marcus Garvey Memorial Park will have to wait just a little bit longer.
On a recent visit to the site of the birthplace of Jamaica’s first proclaimed national hero, local sentiment leaned toward disappointment that the project was yet to be completed. Originally slated for a grand opening splash introduction during Jamaica’s 50th independence anniversary celebration in 2012, the project appears to currently be on hold.
Located at 32 Marcus Garvey Way (Market Street), the memorial park’s development would include the restoration of the Right Excellent Marcus Mosiah Garvey’s childhood home, plus the construction of a memorial wall along with storyboards that share insight into Garvey’s teachings and the country’s heritage. The site’s landmark status would add tremendously to the country’s tourism offerings, and also serve as a historical treasure for generations to come.
At a groundbreaking ceremony held in 2011 by then Prime Minister Hon. Bruce Golding, the Marcus Garvey Memorial Park project was announced with funding by Jamaica’s Culture, Health, Arts, Sports and Education (CHASE) Fund.
“Marcus Garvey’s work led to awakening of the consciousness of black people both in Jamaica and abroad,” said Golding. “There are many young people who would benefit from learning about his life and his legacy as a form of encouragement toward how they can contribute to the community today. While it’s unfortunate that it’s not completed yet, I hope it’s opened soon so that it can be celebrated as a symbol of pride in the strength of the Jamaican people.”
The project returned to the fore in August 2015 at a commemoration of Garvey’s 128th birthday, at the St. Ann Parish Library, in St. Ann’s Bay. Youth and Culture Minister, Hon. Lisa Hanna, at the time in a message indicated The Ministry of Youth and Culture were ready to start plans to refurbish the house of Jamaica’s first National Hero and transforming it into a heritage site.
