Children’s Garden prepares to bloom after groundbreaking
(L-R) Little ones Riley Lawrus and Rowyn Bush do their part at the groundbreaking
(CNS Local Life): The ground was officially broken for the Children’s Garden at Queen Elizabeth II Botanic Park on Wednesday, 16 August, with completion of the attraction expected some time next year. The garden will include a “grow zone”, where every school will have a small section to grow plants, a play area and a classroom.
Those wielding shovels at the ceremony included Deputy Premier and Minister of Tourism Moses Kirkconnell; East End MLA Arden McLean; John Lawrus, park general manager; Carla Reid, chair of the Tourism Attraction Board, which manages the park; Janet Morse of the Garden Club of Grand Cayman; Tom Balon of Vigoro Nursery; Michael Pratt of Rotary Central; Elizabeth Bowen of Greenlight Reinsurance; and architect John Doak.
(L-R) Carla Reid, Arden McLean, Moses Kirkconnell, Kaz Basdeo Conolly and John Lawrus
Also taking part was Kaz Basdeo Conolly, who raised funds for the garden by asking friends to donate money instead of giving him presents at his eighth birthday party last year, as well as the park’s grounds and maintenance staff.
When young Kaz presented the money he had raised (see Youngster donates birthday money to Botanic Park), Lawrus said, “The Children’s Garden will ensure that our youth will be part of the important process of preserving and protecting this natural landscape, particularly through interaction, learning, and fun. To have a young person with the mindset of how equally important (it) is to give back to the community is truly heartwarming.”
He also noted, “In addition, the outdoor classroom will provide a location for all schools of the Cayman Islands to teach an earth sciences class without having to go back on the bus. The Children’s Garden will be the classroom for all of our youth to use.”
Category: Environment
