“As part of this review it is proposed that several Parks be reclassified as Nature Reserves to better reflect their importance as wildlife refuges.”

The proposal would create 6 new protected areas including Stokes Harbour Nature Reserve, One Rock Nature Reserve, Dunscombe Wood Nature Reserve, Ducking Stool Park, Government House Water Front Park and Aquarium Park.

If approved this would result in a total of 114 acres protected under the National Park System increasing the total to 1070 acres.

In 1998 the National Parks System totaled 811 acres, and in 2001 the Government began to expand the Park System adding Virginia Park, the Railway Trail, Barnes Corner Park, Gibbs Hill Lighthouse Park and Abbots Cliff Nature Reserve to the National Parks System, for a total of 27 acres.  In 2008, a 102 new acres of parks and 54 new acres of Nature Reserves were added.

Minister Weeks full statement follows below:

Mr. Speaker, I rise this morning to provide Members of this Honourable House an update on the progress made to protect and manage the island’s protected open spaces.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to reassure the public that significant effort is being made to preserve the Government owned open spaces as one of the primary objectives of the Ministry of Public Works.

Our work is primarily led by the Departments of Parks and Conservation Services, but also includes the Bermuda Land Development Company, the West End Development Company, the Government golf courses and the island’s highways. All working towards a common purpose.

Mr Speaker, the Government has made it a priority to expand, protect and improve the National Parks System as a national treasure. As places where locals and tourists alike can relax, play sports and enjoy nature but also as wildlife sanctuaries protecting Bermuda’s biodiversity and threatened species.

Mr Speaker, in 1998 the National Parks System totaled eight hundred and eleven (811) acres. In 2001 the Government began to actively expand the Park System adding Virginia Park, the Railway Trail, Barnes Corner Park, Gibbs Hill Lighthouse Park and Abbots Cliff Nature Reserve to the National Parks System, for a total of twenty seven (27) acres.

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