Residents of Skull City and Area L, Patentia, Region Three, are set to benefit from the area’s first recreational park after the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development held an official sod-turning ceremony on Friday.
Minister of Local Government and Regional Development Priya Manickchand presided over the ceremony, describing the occasion as “the first of scores” of such facilities planned under her ministry.
The park, the first of its kind in the community, forms part of the government’s broader programme of investment in public infrastructure aimed at fostering healthier lifestyles and stronger communities across Guyana.
Manickchand said the investment reflects the government’s belief that community development extends beyond roads, bridges and buildings, noting that well-designed public spaces contribute to physical health, mental well-being and social cohesion.
She described the facility as a space where memories would be created, friendships strengthened and generations brought together.
“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,” she told residents.
The minister also linked the initiative to the government’s broader development agenda, saying that while Guyana continues to modernise through major infrastructure projects, equal emphasis is being placed on improving the everyday lives of citizens.
She encouraged residents to take ownership of the facility and preserve it for future generations. “You will always have the distinction of being the first,” she said.
Chairman of the Uitvlugt/Patentia Neighbourhood Democratic Council, Mark Khan, welcomed the project, describing it as evidence of meaningful government 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.
Saeed Zameen, the ministry’s Project Manager for Parks, Recreation and Public Spaces, said parks serve a purpose far greater than open space.
“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,” he said.
The ministry said the park forms part of a prioritised programme to invest in community infrastructure that promotes healthier living and creates safe, welcoming public spaces nationwide.
