By Bebi Shafeah Oosman

THE newly developed Number 63 Beach Recreational Park was officially opened on Wednesday evening, with calls for the facility to become a major tourism destination, host sporting events and create economic opportunities for residents of Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne).
First Lady Arya Ali, Minister of Public Works Bishop Juan Edghill and Member of Parliament Zamal Hussain joined in declaring the park open, marking a new chapter for the popular coastal destination, which has long attracted families and visitors from across Guyana.
The development, undertaken through the Office of the First Lady, transforms part of the well-known beach into a dedicated recreational space intended to improve access to leisure facilities, encourage healthy lifestyles and provide an environment for families and communities to gather.
Edghill said the facility was the fifth park of its kind delivered in the region, describing Number 63 Beach as the largest among them and urging that it be developed into a destination for both local residents and international visitors.

“This 63 Beach park and facilities here must become a must visit for everyone who visits Guyana,” he said, stressing that the objective should extend beyond providing a place for recreation and socialising.
“This must become a major tourist destination in Guyana,” the minister added, calling for concerted efforts to realise that ambition.
He noted that the park includes facilities for volleyball and a football pitch, which could accommodate sporting activities and tournaments and attract additional visitors to the area.
Edghill said greater sporting activity could generate economic benefits by creating opportunities for small and medium-sized businesses, including vendors and other entrepreneurs serving visitors.
The development is also expected to support businesses operating in and around Number 63 Beach by increasing visitor traffic and demand for food, transportation and other services associated with recreational and tourism activities.
The minister disclosed that all the work undertaken at the park was carried out by Berbice contractors, allowing the project to contribute directly to economic activity within the region.
He also pointed to wider infrastructure investments in Berbice, stating that more than seven kilometres of sea-defence works, valued at $5.5 billion, had been completed in the region since the current Government took office.
Edghill linked the development of recreational facilities to efforts to improve residents’ quality of life, explaining that designated spaces for leisure and other activities could help reduce disturbances in residential communities.
He said the Government was pursuing an approach that went beyond conventional infrastructure, with public spaces intended to give people opportunities to relax and enjoy their surroundings.
Meanwhile, First Lady Arya Ali said Guyanese could take pride in the progress made at a location that holds special memories for generations of residents.
She emphasised that the project was about more than beautification, describing it as an investment in people’s quality of life through the creation of spaces that encourage healthy living and strengthen community connections.

Ali also acknowledged the support of the individuals and agencies involved in bringing the project to completion.
Hussain said the opening represented the fulfilment of a vision for the community and an opportunity to enhance a location that has long held significance for Berbicians.
He recalled that Number 63 Beach had served for generations as a popular destination for families and friends to enjoy the sea breeze, open spaces and time together.
Through the development, he said, the beach had been transformed into a modern recreational destination that residents could showcase to the rest of Guyana.
Hussain argued that national development should encompass more than roads, bridges and buildings, noting that investments in infrastructure must also be accompanied by measures that improve people’s social and emotional well-being.
He said recreational spaces provided opportunities for families to spend quality time together, children to enjoy outdoor activities and older residents to relax in a welcoming environment.
“Investing in recreational spaces is an investment in the physical, emotional, and social well-being of our people,” he said.
With its established popularity and newly developed facilities, Number 63 Beach is expected to have greater potential to attract visitors and stimulate local enterprise. Realising that potential, however, will depend on sustained maintenance, effective management and efforts to support businesses and organise activities that encourage people to visit throughout the year.
The opening therefore marks not only an enhancement of a familiar recreational site, but also an opportunity to position Number 63 Beach as a destination that contributes to tourism development and economic activity in Region Six.