Residents find creative ways to beautify community

NIGEL Felix, who has been residing in the community for the past 25 years, wanted to do something to enhance the village and he saw it fit to construct a recreational spot near the five-door sluice at Land of Canaan, East Bank Demerara.

“This piece of land was just sitting there and when the tide was high it used to be flooded and it was an unattractive sight, so I decided to beautify this area,” he said.

Although he is originally from the West Bank of Demerara, he moved to the East Bank corridor 25 years ago and wanted to leave a mark.

With his carpentry skills, Felix started about three years ago to slowly prepare the land to what it is today.

Felix told the Pepperpot Magazine that he began by clearing the plot and filled up the once swampy area with truckloads of sand and dirt.

He added that he then acquired dozens of used truck tyres and built up the revetment to prevent erosion; he then constructed a picket fence around the place and later planted some flowers to enhance the plot.

Felix said he then constructed two wooden benabs to accommodate people for recreational purposes and all this he did alone in his spare time, when he was not doing his normal job as a truck driver for hire.

“This place is by the roadside and it was unsightly, being swampy, so I decided to develop it and it is what is today, because of my bit to enhance the environment and today all are welcome here.
But I don’t tolerate any swimming, because it is dangerous to do so considering the strong current and the plot is just for people to come, sit have a snack or a cold beverage,” he said.

The place has become the ‘liming spot’ for residents of Land of Canaan and workers of Gafoor’s, who would often visit to put on a pot over some drinks and carry on a lively conversation with those gathered.

“On weekends, this place is full of people, even those that pass can come and we have a friendly, outdoor atmosphere where people can just relax in a good way,” Felix said.

He plans to have a little shop where people can get a cold drink along with some chips and barbeque.

Felix has already constructed a washroom for visitors and maintains the plot to ensure it is refuse-free; he is usually there every day to do something to fix up the place.

He told the Pepperpot Magazine that he will continue to develop the spot no matter how long it takes, because that is what he wants to achieve in his spare time.

One frequent visitor to the spot is Austin Lyte, an employee at Gafoor’s, who would go to the place after work to relax and chat with Felix.

“By visiting this place I became friends with Felix and I would come every day to ‘gaff’ with him and keep his company over some drinks of course,” Lyte said.

He explained that from the inception, Felix built the place from scratch and he can testify that it wasn’t easy work; he did it alone and he is proud of what the place is today.

“Anybody can come here, free of charge of course, but you must behave yourself and there is strictly no swimming, because we are not responsible for that and it is risky to do so,” he said.