The Janessa Jones Park in Ladyville is Renovated
A group of U.S. nationals has been in the country over the past week, experiencing the wonders of the Belize Barrier Reef and the Maya monuments. But their main mission was the installation of a playground at the Janessa Jones Park in the heart of Ladyville. Today, the renovated park was reopened to the public and it was a celebration, as children within the community were finally given access to the new space where they can recreate. News Five’s Duane Moody reports.
Duane Moody, Reporting
The popular Janessa Jones Park in Ladyville, near the basketball court, was officially re-launched following some much needed renovations. It was a collaborative effort that saw a playground installed by a group from the U.S. Valued at approximately forty thousand dollars, the children from the community now have a place to recreate.
Dolores Balderamos-Garcia
Dolores Balderamos-Garcia, Area Representative, Belize Rural Central
“I really believe in partnership and this has been a partnership with the Ladyville Village Council, myself, the community and of course the three organizations, KABOD International, Kids Around the World and Little Tikes. I believe in partnership because we could never have done this on our own. As you know, we have had Janessa Jones Park and little by little we are improving it. Mister Hutchinson gave the history that when they started dah mi one swing and one slide. But look at what can happen with partnership.”
The team from the U.S. says that it is more than just the value of the donation, but more about the impact that it is going to have on the community. Brett Kid says that refurbished playgrounds are reinstalled in deserving communities, like Ladyville.
Brett Kidd
Brett Kidd, Vice President Global Sales, Little Tikes Commercial
“It’s been such a wonderful experience. We know that it’s gonna change some lives within the community, but the best part is that it changes our lives as well. So just being welcomed into this community and meeting some of the kids and the parents has been a phenomenal experience for us.”
Duane Moody
“How long have you guys been here and how long did it take to put up?”
Brett Kidd
“We came down on Monday, we are leaving today. One Monday we dug some footings, kinda laid out everything, unpacked everything and Tuesday morning we came in and really got it up in one day, believe it or not – which is really fast for us. And then we concreted everything and on Wednesday, put the pea gravel in, so we were done roughly around Thursday morning.”
Belize Rural Central Area Representative, Dolores Balderamos-Garcia calls on residents who will use the park to exercise civic pride so the playground can last for future generations.
Dolores Balderamos-Garcia
“Keep it up, to respect it, to use it in a good way. It is right in a downtown area. You know the Ladyville Community Center is there, the football field, the basketball court with the bleachers. So it is a very central location, so I would only ask that you use it in a good way. In a way that is positive for the upliftment and the development of the children.”
Minister Garcia says that there may be need for additional lighting, but that will come with time. Duane Moody for News Five.
