Chinese to develop Joe Vieira Park into modern facility

Residents on the western side of the Demerara River and further afield will soon see the development of the Joe Vieira Park at Schoonord into a modern State-of-the-art recreational facility, which will also pay homage to Guyanese culture, according to China’s Ambassador to Guyana, Cui Jianchun.
The green space, situated on the West Bank of the Demerara River, was designated a park on March 24, 1982.
Ambassador Cui, during an interview with Guyana Times, related that the Chinese Government decided to rehabilitate the Park to create a space for leisure and exercise while upholding the Guyanese culture of camaraderie.

“We are now in the early stage and think we will do it not only to serve the Guyanese people; we think it is for the culture, for the leisure time and exercise of the Guyanese people,” the Chinese diplomat related.
“We are in the preliminary stage, we are now trying to make the general plan. We hope that next year the plan should be completed. We are working hard for this park,” Ambassador Cui added.
The Joe Vieira Park falls under the control of the National Parks Commission, which was established in March of 1972 to manage, control and develop park areas in addition to working closely with the local government authorities. The National Parks Act of 1977 governs the Commission.
The Joe Vieira Park serves to provide an area of relaxation and recreation for the public.
Ambassador Cui said, when developed, the Park would be outfitted with exercise areas, proper seating and other modern amenities in keeping with the Government’s idea of developing green spaces. He added that although it would be modernised, the Park would not lose its rustic look.
A source from the Region Three (West Demerara-East Bank Essequibo) administration explained that the development was a welcomed one.
“We welcome the initiative from the Chinese Government and overall, it would improve the general look of the Region and overall leisure time activities of the citizens in the Region,” the source related.