The finishing touches are being put on the new parking lot constructed at the Thomas Road entrance to the National Park.
This is according to Commissioner of the Protected Areas Commis-sion Damian Fernandes. “The finishing touches for the new parking lot are in process and once that is complete the parking lot will accommodate the minimum of 50 vehicles,” he told Stabroek News.
The new lot, located north of the Commission’s Head Office in the National Park compound, is the result of a collaboration between the PAC and the Natural Resources and the Environment Ministry.
It was identified to serve for parking since it was already used for ad-hoc parking, although it
was prone to flooding, pot holes and erosion during the rainy season. However, the new parking lot, as currently designed, is paved with asphalt, lighted and elevated above 2005-flood levels, thus providing a secure, all weather parking option to visitors. It also includes a ramp to provide easier access to persons with disabilities and wheelchairs.
During the construction, however, park users have been forced to park their vehicles along Thomas Road.
In a letter to the editor published in the Stabroek News October 17th, 2014 edition, writer John O Campbell suggested that the land south of the National Park, bordered by Albert Street and Thomas Road and which he presumed is owned by the government, be upgraded and used to provide a paid public car park to facilitate park users. Presently, he noted, persons park their vehicles on both side of Thomas Road, creating a dangerous situation. He said he had gotten a smashed window on his vehicle and he had also gathered there had been a few near misses of those crossing the road repeatedly.
Fernandes did not think the land is owned by the government.
He noted, “there is a fine line between keeping the space which is supposed to be enjoyment of the public and converting it.” According to Fernandes, there is a lot of cars and everything can’t be done at once to accommodate all but something is being done with the new parking lot.
As with the Carifesta Avenue parking lot, vehicles will be charged a nominal fee for parking in the afternoons, and traffic will be channeled away from the jogging track, thus increasing safety and avoiding disruption to pedestrians. As the facility will generate revenue, it is expected to eventually pay for itself and contribute to maintenance costs in the long term.
