[Funds raised benefit completion of new Children’s Garden]

[North Side, Grand Cayman, – The Garden Club of Grand Cayman and the Queen Elizabeth II Botanic Park hosted more than eleven hundred visitors at the annual Family Fun Day on Sunday 26^th January.

“Seeing new and familiar faces of all ages enjoying the Botanic Park was truly rewarding for all participants, volunteers and staff,” said the park’s General Manager John Lawrus.

Jae’s Kitchen, Sam’s Quality Jerk and Mise En Place provided food and drink throughout the day; a mini festival atmosphere was enjoyed by all,” he added.

With 1,110 adults and children visiting the Family Fun Day on Sunday, Mr. Lawrus said it has once again demonstrated the event’s popularity.

“This annual event could not have happened without the ongoing dedication and support of the Garden Club. We are truly grateful for their continued commitment,as well as the funds they donate from this fundraising event,” commented Mr. Lawrus.

Garden Club member Jill Wood is the Club’s Botanic Park Representative, she said the organization is pleased with the turnout. “I think it went really well, there were more people at this year’s Fun Day, and we’re pleased to note [that] just over CI$2100 was raised from this year’s Tombola alone,” she said.

Over the past five years of hosting this event the Garden Club has raised close to $30k, all of which Mrs. Wood says, will go toward the completion of the new Children’s Garden. “We are tasked with funding the maze and the sensory garden that will be featured in the new space. We really want to thank everyone who has supported the Family Fun Day over the years,” she added.

Attendees enjoyed activities including face painting and lawn games; the always popular arts and crafts station; a plant sale and displays by the Mosquito Research & Control Unit and The Department of Environment.

Inside the Rotary Schoolhouse, Garden Club members busied themselves teaching children the art of floral décor, how to plant seedlings and Silver Thatch plaiting. While at the Visitor’s Centre, the Tombola prize drawing was a big hit.

A relaxing atmosphere was provided by local musicians, The Cool Breeze Boys, Dexter Bodden and Miss Izzy, but the highlight of the morning was the balloon twisting clown that brought magic and laughter to children, parents and grandparents alike.

“In addition to all the fun nature activities, staff from the MRCU and DOE allowed for our children to learn about the environment that surrounds them. As the Botanic Park continues to grow, we are hopeful that next year’s event takes place within the entire Children’s Garden which is on target for completion within one year,” said Mr. Lawrus.

Please email [email protected]to learn how you, your company or organization can donate toward

More about the Queen Elizabeth II Botanic Park

The Queen Elizabeth II Botanic Park, an attraction managed by the Tourism Attraction Board, is open Monday to Sunday from 9:00AM to 4:30PM. Boasting over 62 acres of lush landscape, the Park is home to an abundance of wildlife including many of the islands’ 56 species of butterfly, native birds, the Cayman Parrot and the endangered Cayman Blue Iguana. With multiple floral gardens, woodland trails, wetlands, a lake and over 60 species of palm trees, there is so much to do and see at the Botanic Park.

The Park which was originally designed to show and preserve the Cayman Islands’ native flora and fauna – as well as to promote education, conservation and recreation – now has over 30,000 visitors each year, many of whom come to enjoy the tranquility, culture and natural beauty that abounds in this hidden treasure. The Heritage Garden is a beautiful celebration of the islands and the traditional Caymanian way of life.

The Botanic Park offers resident rates of CI$5 for adults, and free admission for children under 12, and seniors over 60.

If you would like more information about this topic, please contact Mr. John Lawrus on 947-9462, email [email protected] or check out the Queen Elizabeth II Botanic Park Facebook Page.

More about The Garden Club of Grand Cayman

The members of the Garden Club regularly meet on the first Thursday of each month, at different venues. Light refreshments are provided following a short tour of the garden or facility at which they are meeting.

New members are always welcomed, and one does not need to have a garden to join! There are plenty of opportunities to volunteer and assist with a wide variety of national projects the club undertakes.

Previous projects have included landscaping of the gardens at The Pines Retirement Home, Cayman Islands Museum, National Gallery, UCCI, Francis Bodden Girls Home, The Boy Scout Headquarters, Bonaventure Boys Home. The club most recently provided four private room gardens at Jasmine -the new hospice facility.

For more information contact Jill Wood at [email protected]