Visitors to the newly opened Joe Vieira Guyana-China Friendship Park on the West Bank of Demerara have welcomed the recreational facility, describing it as a valuable space for families and youths while calling for improved security, maintenance and additional amenities.
The park, which has quickly become a popular destination for residents from across the country, received praise for its spacious layout and recreational offerings, although several visitors pointed to areas they believe require further attention.
Anwar Samson, who travelled from the East Coast of Demerara with his family, said he was impressed by the atmosphere and cleanliness of the facility during his first visit.
“It is very interesting,” Samson said. “The atmosphere, the way how it’s kept in terms of clean, and it has a lot of attraction like for tourists, kids.”
He said the boat attraction in the pond was among the highlights for children.
“So yeah, it’s a lot of fun for the kids,” he added.
Anne Jerry described the park as a much-needed family-oriented space that encourages community interaction.
“This park is beautiful. It is family oriented. It is something we need as a community for the children and everybody come together,” she said. “Not only that you come out as a family, you can able to come out and meet people. So it is very good. It’s a very good initiative.”
While commending the project, Jerry expressed concerns about safety, noting that although security personnel were visible, there were several “blind spots” throughout the park.
“I saw guards walking around here, but I also saw a lot of blind spots,” she said.
She also called for more regular maintenance, including garbage collection, grass cutting and better management of the pond area.
“Even though the lilies are here, the lilies are too big on their formation… the place need upkeep… garbage wise, collection of garbage and so on, and the grass and so forth,” she said.
Odessa Smith also welcomed the new facility, saying it provides a safe and enjoyable environment for families.
“It’s very nice. It’s fun for the children and everything. You could come exercise, walk around. It’s nice,” Smith said, adding that she brought her children to use the football field while spending time with other family members.
Asked about safety, she replied, “It’s safe. It’s safe for them.”
Regular park user Jeremy Bethan, who said he visits four to five days each week, raised concerns about littering, particularly on weekends.
“Normally, like on Sundays and Saturdays, when the majority of people come out, they normally litter,” he said, adding that food containers and bottles are often left behind.
“But the regular people who already play just clean up after themselves.”
Bethan noted that because the park closes at 7 pm, lighting has not been installed.
Samuel Barker, who had been visiting the park for only two days, said he intends to continue using the facility.
“The park nicer… I enjoy the park. Park big, nicer exercise and thing. So I come here for an afternoon. I continue coming,” he said.
Although he had not yet used the washroom facilities, Barker said they appeared well maintained. He also praised the sense of security at the park, recalling that he had left personal belongings unattended without incident.
“I left me bike there… and nobody troubling it,” he said.
Meanwhile, Akbar Chindu said the park is providing young people with constructive recreational opportunities.
“It’s attracting quite a lot of persons here from all over. Not only from Region Three, we have other regions here,” he said.
“We’re getting the children to actually come and get rid of some of the energy, other than being involved in illegal activities.”
Chindu nevertheless recommended that additional security patrols be deployed throughout the facility.
“We still need some more security. We need additional patrols… because we’re gonna have some persons who will be involved in some activities that we will not appreciate around our children,” he said.
He also suggested expanding the sporting facilities by adding volleyball and cricket areas to cater to a wider range of users.
Andrea Glenn similarly praised the initiative, describing the park as a welcome addition to the community.
“It’s calming and nice. They did a wonderful thing for family and especially the youths, because we never had one of this over here,” she said.
Glenn, however, echoed calls for greater security, suggesting more guards be stationed throughout the expansive facility and recommending that a gate be installed at the main entrance to improve safety for young children.
“I think they need a little more security… and they need to do a gate at the front,” she said.
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