Botanic Park celebrates its 10th anniversary with four separate events in 2004

Thursday, January 29, 2004

The Queen Elizabeth II Botanic Park, in Frank Sound, this year celebrates its 10th Anniversary. Opened by Her Majesty the Queen on the 27 February 1994, the park has seen many developments since then to become one of the Cayman Islands' top tourist attractions. 

Gilbert Connolly, CEO, of the Tourism Attraction Board (TAB), which overseas the management of the park, said: "TAB is planning to celebrate this special anniversary by holding four celebratory events throughout the year, with the support of the Botanic Park staff and volunteers. A number of events are held annually, however this year, all events will be organised around the 10th Anniversary theme." 

The first special event of the year, the 10th Anniversary Orchid Show, will take place on 14 and 15 February. Held jointly with the Orchid Society, it will showcase these beautiful exotic flowers. Based on past experiences, organisers are expecting a large turn out. 

On 8-9 May, families will be invited to the second event, Art In The Park. As well as exploring the flora and fauna of the park, there will be displays from local artists and local craft exhibitions. Plans also include musical entertainment and children's activities. The National Gallery has committed to supporting this event.

Visitors will be able to purchase plants from the park's nursery during the 10th Anniversary Plant Sale in September, the third event planned to celebrate the milestone. 

Finally, in November a special event, A Caymanian Garden Party, will be held to mark the restoration of the Heritage Garden. This is one of the most popular gardens in the park, boasting a traditional Caymanian cottage with historic artifacts and a yard with local crops and plants. 

There are plans to improve the Heritage Garden as a part of the anniversary celebrations to allow the Caymanian house to be opened to the public, enhance the garden area and improve signage.

The team of staff at the park has committed to help organise these events in addition to its normal work. Andrew Guthrie, General Manager, is arranging the Orchid Show and 10th Anniversary Plant Sale; John Lawrus, Deputy Manager, will organise Art In The Park and Lucy Ebanks, Gift Shop Supervisor, will play a key role in assisting with the restoration of the Heritage Garden and the subsequent launch event.

When the gates were first opened to the public in 1994, there was only a nature trail on the 65-acre site, but the basic infrastructure and the master plans and the vision of the Park were in place thanks to the hard work and commitment of many volunteers from the National Trust Initiative, as well as other dedicated supporters. 

The Botanic Park now boasts of a Heritage Garden, Colour Gardens, a visitors' centre and a scenic lake for visitors to enjoy. TAB is hoping to make further improvements to the facility this year.

Commenting on the 10th Anniversary, Mr Connolly said: "Organising these events involves tremendous work and planning and I would like to commend the staff at the park for taking on the challenge of these additional events, at a time when they are short staffed. Also, I would like to thank the Friends of the Park and other external organisations that have committed to supporting these events."

He added: "The Queen Elizabeth II Botanic Park is acclaimed to be one of the best in the Caribbean. This is an excellent achievement because the park has only been open for 10 years however, we must always be looking for ways to improve the park to make it an even better attraction. We are hoping to find corporate sponsorship to complete a number of attractions at the Park." 

Further improvements and developments at the park are also planned to take place this year to commemorate the anniversary. Mr Connolly said, "at the top of the list are improvements to the Park's entrance." 

A new garden is being planned. The Palm Garden will feature many species of palms, from around the world. Sponsorship is also being sought to create a Fruit Garden.

Andrew Guthrie, General Manager of the Botanic Park commented: "We are looking forward to the 10 year anniversary being an opportunity for us to showcase what we have achieved at the park so far."

He continued: "We hope it will be the beginning of further development and improvement over the next 10 years."

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