Dear Editor,
As this country celebrates independence month of activities, please permit me to share some thoughts about the only free green space in capital city Kingstown.
In the heart of bustling Kingstown lies a small but invaluable oasis the lawn area at the Grenadines Wharf. This verdant stretch, dotted with picnic benches and tables, serves as a rare and cherished green space accessible to all without charge. It is more than just a patch of grass; it is a communal haven where locals, visitors, and transit passengers find respite, connection, and a breath of fresh air amid the port’s vibrant activity.
For many residents of Kingstown, the Grenadines Wharf lawn offers a simple pleasure: a place to picnic, enjoy an ice cream, watch children scoot about freely, and gather informally with friends and family. It is not only a recreational spot but also a gateway for those en route to the Grenadines islands, offering a welcoming glimpse of Saint Vincent’s warmth to cruise ship guests and ferry travellers alike. Policed and maintained by the SVG Port Authority, which administers the adjacent SVG Cruise Terminal, the area blends the functionality of a port of entry with a rare openness to leisure and relaxation.
The green space lends itself to true family recreation since the Richmond Hill Playing Field and the Victoria Park carry full controlled sporting and cultural agendas and activities.
The Grammar School Lawn’s make up also do not lend itself to allowing family recreational activities in the same way due to its location constraints.
However, this precious green space is not without its challenges. Despite clear no-smoking signs, some visitors disregard this rule, and occasional littering mars the otherwise peaceful environment. Yet, these issues pale in comparison to the looming threat the lawn faces. Government announcements about port modernization and a proposed tunnel linking Arnos Vale to Kingstown suggest that the future of the Grenadines Wharf green space hangs in the balance. Should these developments override the area’s current role, Kingstown risks losing its only free and publicly accessible green area.
The alternative is the Botanical Gardens, a lovely but fee-charged destination that lies farther from the town’s core, thus less accessible to everyday users. To rely solely on the Botanical Gardens would exclude many from having spontaneous outdoor moments in the heart of Kingstown.
To lose the Grenadines Wharf lawn would be nothing short of a travesty. It stands as a vital communal resource where life’s simple joys unfold freely. Kingstown deserves to keep this green lung, preserving it not only as a leisure space but as an emblem of accessible public commons amid urban development.
The future of this lawn demands careful reconsideration let it remain a sanctuary where the people of Saint Vincent and visitors alike can gather, breathe, and rejoice in nature’s embrace without a fee or barrier.
END
By S. John (retired)
One News SVG 
My favorite place to enjoy an ice-cream, with my daughter, on a Sunday.
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