Sod turned for Skull City’s 1st recreational park

The sod was officially turned for the construction of the first-ever recreational park at Skull City and Area L, Patentia, Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara), on Friday.
This also marks the commencement of the first park under the Local Government and Regional Development Minister, Priya Manickchand.
The park represents another step in the Government’s commitment to improving public infrastructure while creating spaces that foster healthier lifestyles, stronger communities, and enhanced quality of life.
Delivering feature remarks, Manickchand said the investment reflects the Government’s belief that community development extends beyond roads, bridges, and buildings.

She explained that thoughtfully designed public spaces have far-reaching benefits, contributing not only to physical health but also to mental well-being, social cohesion, and a stronger sense of community pride.
Manickchand further noted that the significance of the park extends well beyond recreation, describing it as a space where memories will 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, adding that the value of such spaces grows over time as they become part of a community’s shared history.
She also emphasised that investments of this nature are central to building stronger communities. “These spaces help us to develop stronger families, communities, and a nation.”
The Minister also linked the initiative to the Government’s broader vision for national development, noting that while Guyana continues to modernise through major infrastructure projects, equal emphasis is being placed on improving the everyday lives of citizens – “a people-centred country”.

Addressing residents directly, Manickchand encouraged them to embrace the park as their own and work collectively to preserve it for future generations.
“You will always have the distinction of being the first,” she told the gathering, noting that the facility would serve as a lasting symbol of the community’s development.
The chairman of the Uitvlugt/Patentia Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC), Mark Khan, welcomed the commissioning, describing the project as evidence of the Government’s commitment to improving communities through meaningful investments.
“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,” he added.
“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,” Project Manager responsible for Parks, Recreation, and Public Spaces, Saeed Zameen, shared.
Meanwhile, 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.”
The recreational park forms part of the Ministry’s prioritised programmes of investing in community infrastructure that promotes healthier living, strengthens neighbourhood ties, and creates safe, welcoming public spaces for citizens.