Battlefield Park gets a facelift

Its political significance to the country is unquestionable, but for more than a few years, Battlefield Park in Belize City has been nothing more than the permanent address for a number of vagrants. But Belize’s version of Central Park is about to get a facelift. If you’ve driven down Regent Street this week, you would have noticed the construction work is already in full swing. News 5’s Jacqueline Woods met with Paco Smith, public relations officer for the Belize City Council to find out if the project is more than just a paint job.

Jacqueline Woods, Reporting

In its heyday, Battlefield Park served as the main setting for many a political rally. As in days gone by, the park is still in the centre of town surrounded by some of the country’s important buildings. This year, Belize’s central park is getting some much-needed attention.

The work currently being done is part of a complete restoration programme planned for the park. Besides the trimming of trees, the park’s two fountains are also being demolished. Paco Smith, the public relations officer for the Belize City Council would not say what new structures, if any, would be built.

Paco Smith, P.R., Belize City Council

There’s an old adage that says in order to add, you must subtract. In this instance, we are not looking at it as destroying it, but it is part and parcel of an entire restoration of this particular park. As you look around you can see that there has been some trimming of the trees and what have you and with this park being at the centre of town and having a lot of historical significance, I think it is important for us to spruce it up as much as we possibly can and make it as presentable, because it is almost the centre piece of Belize City. With regards to the fountains themselves, I think for quite sometime they have been inoperable and that became somewhat of an eyesore.”

Smith says he would also like to deny reports that the Battlefield Park has been sold. He says there may be plans to have a business entity adopt the park like what the Belize Telecommunications Limited has done with a couple of parks in the city. Reporting for News 5, Jacqueline Woods.

Smith says once the fountains are removed, the vacant space will be used for the Belize City Council’s annual Christmas show on December nineteenth.