Questions for the Rotary Club of Grenada Re: Management of Quarantine Point and Construction of Waste Disposal facilities.
Recently, while visiting Quarantine Point, one of the most important remaining green spaces in St George, I noticed some new buildings being constructed.
I assumed this was occurring under the instruction of the Rotary Club of Grenada who I understand has signed a lease agreement with the Government for management of the Park. I noticed that since undertaking this lease, the Club has built what appeared to be a temporary wooden structure, termed “Santa’s Grotto” which has remained at the site since its construction.
During the last week, on a regular visit to the location, I noticed that new structures were being erected in close vicinity to the “Santa’s Grotto” building. There was evidence of a concrete foundation being laid and a long drain had been dug, in the direction of the cliff. On close inspection this drain led to two large pits bordering the edge of the nearby cliff. My initial thinking was that this was evidence of the construction of some kind of bathroom facilities and that the pits were intended to be septic tanks.
During a second visit this week this was confirmed by one of the workmen at the site that these were indeed male and female toilet facilities and septic tanks. Unfortunately, I have immediate concerns about the planning permission and involvement from the Ministry of Health which would have allowed septic tanks to be built in a Public Park on the edge of a cliff, overlooking a beach below.
Some persons may not be aware but there is a small beach at Quarantine Point. It used to be much more accessible as there used to be concrete steps providing safe access. Unfortunately, these have since been eroded so you now have to carefully make your way down to the beach by circumventing a series of rocky outcrops. I have visited this beach for many years, back to when I was a child. I know that many others do as well, despite the difficult access. For infrastructure such as septic tanks to be sited immediately above this area as well as on potentially unstable land is deeply concerning. If there is any leak or seepage from the structures and even if there is some landslip (however unlikely) then raw sewage would end up on this beach and in the marine environment.
Such an incident would endanger beach users and would lead to degradation of fish and coral reef species in the immediate nearshore area. It is also important to remember that the entirety of the Grand Anse Area, stretching from Pandy Beach to beyond the airport has been designated as a Marine Protected Area (See 2018 Article from NOW Grenada https://nowgrenada.com/2018/01/grenada-launches-its-newest-marine-protected-area-grand-anse/). These areas are governed by Fisheries regulations and there have been recent concerns about the disposal of waste in this area (See https://www.thenewtodaygrenada.com/local-news/clouden-human-waste-from-yachts-ending-up-on-grand-anse-beach/). I hope that Rotary will not be contributing to this ongoing problem.
It should be noted that Quarantine Point is one of the last green spaces in the south of the country and one of the largest. It is therefore concerning to see encroachment occurring at this site, especially the construction of permanent structures, which in my humble opinion appears to have undergone very little planning. In the past portable toilet facilities have been used to accompany events at the site. These would have had a much smaller impact as waste would not have been stored within the Park. The construction of these permanent facilities raises the question as to what other structures are planned for Quarantine Point? Are we to see the erection of a permanent pavilion at the site in the near future as well?
I intend to make further enquiries to the Physical Planning Unit, the Ministry of Health, the Fisheries Division, and the Environment Division of the Ministry of Climate Resilience regarding this matter in order to receive answers. I will also pen a letter to the President of the Rotary Club in order to raise these concerns and also to request greater transparency about Rotary’s future plans for this important public green space.
There is no doubt that, to date, Rotary’s management of Quarantine Point has improved the overall aspect of the space. There are better provisions for garbage, parking allotments and seating arrangements. However, access to the Park has been limited, somewhat arbitrarily, to the period of 6 am to 9 pm. I wonder if any public consultation was undertaken when deciding this. Grenada’s headlands, such as Quarantine Point, serve as important green spaces and windows to the sea. These have always been used for cookouts, kite flying and fishing by local Grenadians. I would think that many local persons might like to utilise the Park before going to work for activities such as running, exercise, biking and dog walking. To only be allowed into the Park at 6 am would severely constrain these possibilities.
Likewise, as was done before, it appears that Rotary may limit access to the Park once again in order to run their annual Christmas activities, such as Carols by Candlelight. I humbly suggest that these paid activities do not prevent local persons from accessing the Park and beach during the daytime. It is also noted that for a long period of time, even after the relaxation of most COVID restrictions that the Park remained closed, when many Grenadians could have utilised the space, as it is easy to social distance in such a large area.
The management of an important public space such as this should involve regular public consultation. One is reminded by the signs that Rotary has erected at the entrance to the site: “Is it FAIR to all concerned?”, “Will it be BENEFICIAL to all concerned?” and of course the worldwide Rotary motto “SERVICE above SELF”.
I hope that answers will be provided and changes made to preserve the integrity of the environment at Quarantine Point for all Grenadians.
Sincerely,
A concerned member of the Grand Anse Community
I read the above article and it leaves one to wonder what exactly can anyone do in Grenada to please the writer (whose identity is no secret, read between the lines and listen to the call-in programs). To begin with, what should have been done first, is being done last ie: Seeking clarity from the Rotary Club’s President or Management.
I could not help but read the level of stupidity as it relates to Mobile Toilets for events. Is the writer saying that users of the park when there are no events must use the Bushes? Is the writer aware that the Trucks carrying the Mobile Toilets do more damage to the grounds with their large Tyres and Oil leaks? Is the writer willing to pay a fee to assist the Rotary Club in paying the rental and maintenance fees for the Mobile Toilets (which is not cheap).
Toilet facilities have been a cry for many years at Quarantine Point, now we are getting those facilities it is a problem because one is of the opinion that the engineers don’t know what they are doing. Where were you when Grenadians were urinating all over the said area leaving a stench? Where were you when Grenadians were littering the said area with KFC Boxes, sanitary napkins, condom wrappings and even used underwear? You continue to speak conveniently and to be quite honest it is beyond annoying now. What you suggest the Rotary Club do as it relates to installing a permanent Toilet facility since you have a problem with the present one which by the way would not affect the Beaches?
I also noted the comment “I humbly suggest that these paid activities do not prevent local persons from accessing the Park and beach during the daytime” Again, a level of stupidity being displayed. Events held at Quarantine run in the range over 150,000 to sometimes 200,000 in investment. How on earth you expect a promoter to just open up “his venue” (rented) to all and sundry during the event’s preparation and constructing stage?
Another observation which tantamount to more stupidity “access to the Park has been limited, somewhat arbitrarily, to the period of 6 am to 9 pm. I wonder if any public consultation was undertaken when deciding this” Was there any public consultation as it relates to Quarantine Point being used as a ‘red light’ district or a personal dancehall at nights with cars blasting music and the partygoers littering the area leaving the Rotary Club to spend thousands to keep the place clean? As far as I am concerned the Rotary Club don’t have to answer to anyone, because they are the ones who brought that place up to standard, kept it clean and restored it to a park atmosphere where kids could play without having to trip over Garbage and families could eat in peace without having to inhale the scent of Cow down.
Paul I couldn’t agree with you more, some people have to much time on their hands and instead of using it wisely use it for crap. Then again some of those people have a stone age approach to doing things, they will condemn everything with no input for the way forward. Thanks for pointing them out.
Our son proposed to his wife out on the point years ago. When friends would come to visit we would always take them there at night to enjoy the beautiful view of Grand Anse Beach. The beauty of the park is classic Grenada, to disturb that open space is unacceptable.
No kidding!! How can this have been approved? Where is the planning department and environmental consultation here as well? Why do people just do whatever the H they want on this island without a complete thought process going into the “proposed” building? Just because Rotary are supposed to be looking after Quarantine Point it still remains PUBLIC PROPERTY not private. Hows does the guardianship include building whatever you want. I agree the openness of the park is part of it’s charm and the way it accommodates a variety of activities simply because there are no buildings or impediments. One event at Christmas does not warrant buildings in this park.
Anything is possible with Physical non-planning. Much, much more to come.