An oasis in the city

St William Grant Park welcomes visitors

THE REFURBISHED St William Grant Park in the heart of downtown Kingston is proving to be an oasis for several persons who enjoy the green area daily.

From students who find the cool park the perfect place to study to adults who beat the heat with a park break.

"Everybody come in here. Some days the park full with adults and children cooling out," said one of the several photographers who make their living by taking pictures in the park.

"The place safe and it clean although there are some little things which would make it better," added the photographer who did not give his name.

He would not say what the "little things" were but they appeared very minor as his colleagues seemed well satisfied with the park.

Located in the centre of downtown Kingston, the park is named in honour of the 1938 labour leader William Grant who was an associate of National Hero and former Prime Minister Sir Alexander Bustamante.

The park was previously known as Victoria Park in honour of Queen Victoria of England, but the name was changed after Jamaica gained independence.

In the park are several monuments, the principal one being that of Queen Victoria.

To the north of the park is the statue of National Hero Norman Manley and to the south is the statue of Bustamante.

The park was recently given a multi-million dollar facelift by the Kingston and St Andrew Corporation.