When is a park not just a park? When it is Dolphin Park. We all know about David Gegg's plan to build a 56 boat marina and office complex in West Landivar. Part of that project was a complete overhaul of Dolphin Park. But the project has ignited fierce opposition from residents who have gone to court to block Gegg's development. Today the turf war moved to the Dolphin Park where, with help from the City Council, the residents attempted to get a leg up on Gegg.
Keith Swift Reporting,
This is Dolphin Park. Located on University Drive - it is ground zero for the war between tourism developer David Gegg and the West Landivar Action Committee. Back on May 2nd, Gegg told us that as part of his project, he would do residents a favor and renovate the park.
David Gegg,
[May 2nd, 2007] "I see Dolphin Park being affected to the extent that we are prepared to make it a much better place than it is right now. We are prepared to contribute to its maintenance to improve it significantly. There is a beautiful fountain and lights that were here but they are no longer operational, we are prepared to take on the responsibility to keep those things operational and to maintain the whole park properly."
Well today the residents said to Gegg: no thanks - we don't need your help. This morning the City Council signed over management of the park to the West Landivar Action Committee.
Perla Perdomo, West Landivar Action Committee
"After the first public meeting that we had, many residents called and said we should start to do something and maybe we should do the park and adopt the park and so it came about that it was possible and so we decided to go ahead and adopt the park."
The park which was erected in 2003 has fallen into disrepair but residents say that will change.
Perla Perdomo,
"We have an architect living in the area so we will approach him and ask him to help us with doing the planning and the landscaping and the planning of the park and then after that we will start to do some fundraising so that we could implement the plan."
Cecil Arnold, West Landivar Action Committee
"We are going to put in structures and things of that sort that will enhance the park. In fact we have already spoken to PACT and they have given us the assurance that once we have had this area reserved as a national park, they will assist us with funds to help put in nature trails and things of that sort that students from all over the country could come and visit this park and learn from it."
City councilor Laura Esquivel who signed over management to the residents says the Action Committee will now be responsible for the park's upkeep.
Laura Esquivel, City Councilor
"Their responsibility will be to do any renovations that are necessary. They will also be required to maintain the park. They have the ability, if they want to, they can hire a park warden, look at the security of the park, and basically keep the area, the park, beautiful and in a good condition for the other residents and other people who want to come and use the park."
And Perla Perdomo says Dolphin Park is unique because they say it's not just for the residents of West Landivar.
Perla Perdomo,
"It's a nice area to come and to relax and to take a walk. I have two young girls and we come to the park like in the mornings, have coffee. So the residents use it a lot to just recreate. But also the Volleyball Association uses it, sometimes they have their tournaments here. We see that a lot of students come here after they finish, or in between classes they come. People from out district, they come and they park their cars here and have lunch. People that work in the area would come and park and use the park. The park is something that, it is a nice site for the neighborhood and for me personally, it is something I like to see in front of my house."
Residents say they don't plan to rename the park.
This is the sixth park to be adopted since the Moya led Belize City Council took office in March of 2006.
