RESIDENTS of Skull City and Area L, Patentia, Region Three, are set to benefit from their first recreational park following the official sod-turning ceremony conducted by the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development on Friday.
The project also marks the commencement of the first recreational park to be developed under Minister of Local Government and Regional Development, Priya Manickchand, who described it as “the first of scores” planned for communities across Guyana.
Minister Manickchand, while speaking at the ceremony, said the investment demonstrates the Government’s commitment to building stronger communities by creating public spaces that promote healthier lifestyles, social interaction and community pride.
“Our belief is that community development extends beyond roads, bridges and buildings,” the minister said, noting that thoughtfully designed recreational spaces contribute not only to physical health but also to mental well-being and stronger social cohesion.
She emphasised that the significance of the park goes beyond recreation, explaining that it will become a place where residents gather, build relationships and create lasting memories.
“There will be a day when you’ll be able to sit in this park and ‘gyaff’ about long ago, discuss the happenings of the present, make important decisions through conversation and learn about one another,” Minister Manickchand told residents.
She added that the value of such public spaces increases over time as they become woven into the history and identity of a community.
According to the minister, investments of this nature are central to national development.
“These spaces help us to develop stronger families, communities and a nation,” she said.
Linking the initiative to Guyana’s wider development agenda, Minister Manickchand noted that while the country continues to modernise through major infrastructural projects, equal attention is being given to improving the daily lives of citizens and building what she described as “a people-centred country.”
She urged residents to take ownership of the facility and work collectively to preserve it for future generations.
“You will always have the distinction of being the first,” she told the gathering, adding that the park would serve as a lasting symbol of the community’s development.
Chairman of the Uitvlugt/Patentia Neighbourhood Democratic Council, Mark Khan, welcomed the initiative, describing it as another example of the Government’s continued investment in communities.
“This is our park. We’re going to care for it, we’re going to beautify it, and we’re going to make sure everyone has a part in it,” Khan said.
Project Manager responsible for Parks, Recreation and Public Spaces, Saeed Zameen, underscored the broader purpose of recreational facilities.
“At the Ministry, we recognise that parks are much more than open spaces. They are places where children can play safely, where families can gather, where young people can engage in healthy recreation, and where communities can come together to build stronger social connections,” Zameen said.
Concluding her address, Minister Manickchand called on residents to work alongside the Government to ensure the park remains a source of pride for the community.
“Partner with us as we do this. We need each other,” she said.
The recreational park forms part of the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development’s ongoing programme to expand community infrastructure that promotes healthier living, strengthens neighbourhood ties and creates safe, welcoming public spaces for citizens across Guyana.
