Work on the new park at Public Beach under the ForCayman Investment Alliance is nearing commencement,

Cayman Islands, GRAND CAYMAN. Work on the new park at Public Beach under the ForCayman Investment Alliance is nearing commencement, along with the creation of an extensive network of bike and pedestrian paths extending into West Bay.

The paths will stretch from Public Beach to Yacht Drive, and will for the first time in Cayman provide public beachfront trails uniquely for pedestrian and cycle use. Dart Realty confirmed work on the park and trails will begin imminently, in anticipation of having some public amenities complete in time for the Easter holidays.

The nearly 9-acre park will include shade trees, children’s play areas, space for public camping, and a purpose built car park with 100 spaces. Also included are volleyball, soccer, and other sports facilities that will improve Cayman’s ability to host national sporting events that complement the tourism product.

Once work on the beach park is complete, Dart Realty will surrender its leasehold of the land to Government, 56 years ahead of the legal expiration.  Government will wholly own the park land and facilities which, along with its existing Public Beach ownership, will create an area of more than 12 acres in public ownership.

In addition to the expanded public beach park, Dart is set to build several miles of pedestrian and bike paths. The network of two-way multi-use trails will extend from public beach through the site of the hotel, along the beachfront adjacent to the section of West Bay Road intended for closure, and join up with the Esterley Tibbetts Highway Extension where the cycle lanes will continue into West Bay.

The trails will include restrooms, benches, rubbish and recycling bins, native plantings and other amenities to encourage public use of the entire beach area.

For more on this story go to:

http://www.forcayman.com/fcia-public-beach-park–bike-path-plans

Demonstrations at Public Beach

On Saturday  (12) less than 150 persons turned up at the Public Beach to demonstrate against the closure of the West Bay Road of 4,920 feet as part of the proposed ForCayman Investment Alliance. The organisers were expecting at least 500 and hoping for more.

The ForCayman Investment Alliance comprises Dart and government and although the main agreement has not been signed work by both Dart and the National Roads Authority is taking place.

The objections to the road closure are mainly based on historical Caymanian traditions and Dart is accused of seizing locally owned land to increase the value of the land and property he already owns.

Much of the deal is shrouded in secrecy and with a new minority government in place this has given some optimism to its opponents that the deal will not get final approval.

The protestors have now said they will be stepping up their demonstrations warning they are going to be more militant.

However, according to a report on Cayman27 last week, they said they had spoken to the Deputy Premier, Ralston Anglin, and the National Roads Authority, and it is unlikely the demonstrators will achieve anything. The only thing stopping final approval is the last amendments required under the Price Waterhouse Review of the deal that is a stand-alone agreement under the ForCayman Alliance, and government having to gazette the closure.

The Phase 1 part is Governor’s Way to Yacht Club roundabout and is on target to be completed next month.

Phase 2 is Yacht Drive to Batabano targeted for completion in June 2013.