Fun day at Botanic Park attracts record crowds
Some of the crowd on hand to enjoy day at the park
(CNS Local Life): The Queen Elizabeth II Botanic Park and The Garden Club of Grand Cayman hosted their biggest Family Fun Day, on Sunday, 21 January, with almost 1,000 visitors coming out to the park for the annual event which featured crafts, nature, food, music and outdoor fun. John Lawrus, general manager of the Botanic Park, thanked both participants and volunteers who helped make the fun day a “tremendous success”.
He added in a press release that the Botanic Park “continues to improve each year and it is a result of the hard work from members in our community, volunteers and staff,” noting the next event is the annual orchid show and sale on 24 and 25 February, organised in conjunction with the Cayman Islands Orchid Society.
Ora Hollebon, president of The Garden Club of Grand Cayman, recalled that the club was established in 1957 when the island was “sparse and not yet so beautiful” and the members, who anticipated that Cayman would develop a world-class tourism industry and become a major financial centre, started gardening and planting trees in public places.
She said some of the club’s community projects to date included gardening and landscaping at The Pines Retirement Home, the Scouts headquarters, East End Sunrise Cottage and Frances Bodden Children’s Home, with this year members, who number more than 70, set to help with landscaping at the new home of Cayman HospiceCare.
“This year’s Family Fun Day included lawn games, magic show, children’s craft table, a tombola, plant and cake sale and a children feel-touch-and-learn nature table,” Hollebon said. There was also face painting, a “butterfly trail” through the woodland park area and fresh tropical drinks. “Everyone enjoyed the lovely day and I am sure will be ready for another (Family Fun Day) next January.”
Shayma Hamdi-Romanica, marketing coordinator of the Tourism Attraction Board, which manages the Botanic Park, said, “Events such as these are a tremendous way of reminding us of the natural beauty that abounds here in Grand Cayman. With lots of new developments happening on the island, it is a real treat to spend the day at the Botanic Park, to relax and unwind. There is something in the air there – it just makes you feel happy. We call it our ‘oasis of the Caribbean’.
“It was wonderful to see so many children at the Family Fun Day interacting with nature and having fun. We encourage children to interact more at our national attractions, and learn about the unique local flora, fauna and wildlife.”
Hamdi-Romanica also thanked Lawrus, the Botanic Park staff and the Garden Club for doing a “splendid job” organizing the event and looks forward to next year’s Family Fun Day.
Caption: Some of the crowd on hand to enjoy Family Fun Day
Category: Events
