By Admin. Updated 9:39 p.m., Monday, October 27, 2025, Atlantic Standard Time (GMT-4).
Victoria Park in Kingstown has been renamed Independence Park, Prime Minister Dr Ralph Gonsalves announced during his 2025 Independence address.
The Prime Minister, who publicly proposed the renaming of the park and other colonially named public places, said:
“The idea of our historic park in the year of our Lord 2025, still bearing the name of a 19th century British queen, however wonderful she was for the British, she never visited us, and the idea of still having the park called after her is entirely preposterous.”
According to multiple credible historical sources, Victoria Park in Kingstown, St Vincent, was named after Queen Victoria to commemorate her Golden Jubilee. The park was dedicated on 22 June 1887, having been transformed from a military parade ground into a public recreational area in her honour.
“This is, for me, this matter admits of no debate. As of today, I repeat, it is now fittingly renamed Independence Park. We have been talking about this for a long time. Government cannot be a continuous university seminar. We have to make decisions, and we have taken the decisions.”
“Farewell to Victoria, welcome to Independence Park,” he said to roaring applause from the thousands gathered at the event.
He also outlined how the four stands at Independence Park will be renamed.
“There are four stands within Independence Park which will henceforth bear the names of distinguished Vincentians who are no longer with us in our earthly city, but who have deep historical connections with this park.
One, the main traditional stand, is to be named in memory of Alfonso ‘Alfie’ Roberts, the first person from St Vincent and the Grenadines, the Windward and Leeward Islands, to play Test cricket for the West Indies.
Two, the double-decker stand is to be named the Mason Boucher Stand as a memorial to the legendary fast bowler Frank Mason and two Bouchers: Paul Boucher, the esteemed groundsman and protector of the park for decades, and Rudy Boucher, arguably the best footballer this country has ever produced.
Three, the stand to the east is to be named in honour of the iconic mass man Roy Ralph of Dragons fame, and
Four, the stand to the west is being named after Tanny Peters, an inestimable pan man for the ages.
In the same vein, the renaming of certain streets, sporting facilities, and buildings will be rolled out in memory of our distinguished personalities now deceased, from all areas of life and production,” he said.
The Prime Minister stated, “This is all part of a national exercise to connect the past and the present with the owning of our future.”
Dr Gonsalves added that in the coming months, other colonially named streets and public places will be renamed.
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