The Botanical Gardens, one of the population recreation parks/ Green Spaces in Georgetown, is one 137 years old this year.
Historical records reveal that the decision to establish the Gardens was the outcome of a resolution by the Royal Agricultural and Commercial Society (RACS).A meeting was held on April 3, 1877 and members were convinced that great benefits were to be derived for its establishment in the vicinity of the city.
Messrs. J. Hampden King, Henry Watson, Henry Kirke, W.H. Campbell and R.W.Imlach comprised the committee which was appointed to prepare a memorial to the Governor and Court of Policy.
The petition was favourably received and the Attorney General and Messrs. Robert Smith and William Russel appointed to plan a scheme.
The initial plans came to fruition when the backlands of Vlissengen were bought by the government to the extent of two hundred and seventy six (276) acres appraised at $72, 000, 185 acres of which were taken over for the gardens.
In 1878 Mr. Prestoe of the Trinidad Gardens came here for the purpose of examining the site and to prepare a plan.
In 1879 Mr. J. S. Waby arrived from Trinidad to begin operations in the gardens.
A great amount of work had to be done before planting could begin.
Originally most of the land was a swampy pasture. Trenches had to be dug, roads had to be constructed, propagating sheds had to be erected and the land raise by taking soil from what are lakes, while the front of the gardens was tile-trained.
To establish the garden seemed a truly insurmountable task; nevertheless Mr. Waby continued resolutely before preliminary work was accomplished in propagating plans in what was known as the Old Observatory on Brickdam.
Among the first seedlings raised by J. S. Waby was a lot of the samaan trees, some of which were planted along the north side of the gardens; others now form the avenue on Vlissengen Road.
In 1880 Mr. George Samuel Jenman arrived as Botanist and Superintendent of the Botanical Gardens.
The Botanical Gardens made great progress under the care and diligence of Messrs. Jenman and Waby.
In recognition of Jenman’s sterling contribution he was honoured and respected internationally.
Today a clock installed on the Botanical Garden’s Office (formerly the Curator’s Office) bears his name, testimony to his remarkable achievement in shaping the Botanical Gardens of Guyana.
After Jenman’s death in 1902 changes were made.
Drainage was improved; the famous arched ”kissing bridge” depicting the Victorian era was constructed and a bandstand was erected in memory of Mr. J . Brummel, the then Sheriff of Demerara.
The Botanical Gardens were continuously beautified-flowering and ornamental shrubs took root-providing a landscape that was pleasing to the eye.
The Zoological Park was opened in 1952 but even before the Zoo was established there were manatees living in the ponds of the Botanical Gardens since 1895. There are also two harpy eagles, which are long-term “residents” of the zoo. The zoo sees almost 10,000 visitors every month.
In April 1988, the Ministry of Agriculture relinquished responsibility for the Gardens and the National Parks Commission assumed direction of this entity, under the Chairmanship of Mr. Bunny Fernandes A.A, who remained in this position until 1993.
Developmental works such as field upgrade, nursery rehabilitation and cataloguing of trees/plants were completed under the stewardship of Fitz H. Ogle, Curator/Manager of the Gardens during 1992.
Mr. Compton McKenzie continued to serve as Taxonomist until 2004 having joined the staff as a young apprentice in January 1951.
(Courtesy of the Evergreen Nature Study Club: www.evergreenstudy.org/)
Written By Clifford Stanley