Hon Minister for Tourism, Senator Robert Tonge, is reassuring citizens with concerns, that the natural look and eco-experience of Jack’s Walk will not be compromised by the ongoing work.
The Ministry of Tourism and Urban Renewal in collaboration with the Forestry Division, this month embarked on a project to upgrade Jack’s Walk in the Botanic Gardens.
Jack’s Walk is popular with tourists and with locals who enjoy the walk both as a form of leisure and exercise. However, some locals have expressed concern over the work being done to improve Jack’s Walk.
Those concerns have been met with the assurance of the Hon Minister for Tourism and Urban Renewal, Sen. Robert Tonge, that Jack’s walk will remain a natural site, only better and safer.
“A few people have complained that they see too much concrete but the concrete areas are the areas where you have the steps and you must do it properly because many people have fallen in those areas,” Hon Tonge explained.
The upgrade of Jack’s Walk, a project costing over $60,000, is part of Government’s plan to enhance the capital city.
“It will look basically exactly like what you see at the Emerald Pool where you have two trails and then you have nice gravel in the center so if persons want to run they can run on it but the areas that are normally dangerous, there are steps to ensure that it is safe and secure and that we don’t have any accidents happening there. “
The Hon Minister shared the vision of the Ministry of Tourism for tourists hiking along the trail.
“What we want to do is to create economic activity whereby when visitors come to the trail we can actually have them walk from the top with tour guides and have them walk down and have a lovely experience.”
He asks that members of the public be patient till completion of the project.
Why did Wayne Nordie not seek a court injunction when 15 plus acres was annexed from the Cabrits National Park? And why is Wayne jogging on the same concrete? Is Wayne not concern that many people have sustained injuries due to the slipperiness of the bamboo leaves on sections of the trail. And why does Wayne walk on more than 50 feet of the same surface that is being laid down on jack’s walk. The approach to 35 step consist of 8 steps of similar surface. In fact the approach to 35steps is more dangerous than jack’ walk because of the slope on the surface. And why is Wayne not seeking an injunction for the sidewalk upgrade in Roseau?
I hope that Nordie will take a position on similar matters,or is it because he has interest in Jack”s walk than in Cabrits.
Personally I donot see the byg force about jack’s walk. Otherwise we should leave the sidewalk in roseau as they are. The west coast highway should remain a dirt road
Yes I
I remember a while back dem Rasta man used to talk about concrete jungle , likkle did they know what was coming , is now we have concrete jungle ; it was much more fun when my gyrols dem would scream” hold my hand , i dow want to fall” when walking down certain areas of the trail, and hear me ”you sure you love me , or you jus dont want me to laugh when you fall ” darlene jus let me hold your hand nah for me not fall dong” was the response ; of course I would oblige , for there was always a reward for my efforts later .
well they taking out all the excitement from the walk ,now all you will hear is ”dem steps not for me nah”
Why destroy the natural things in my Dominica just to say allu spend money doing this and doing that .
HEEEEELLLLLPPPPPP.
Dee your comment says it all beautifully. Welcome to the Nature Island of the Caribbean.
Well guys you voted and continue to vote for people who do not understand and have no respect for you or your views, I bet this guy walked up jacks walk as a child. These people are killing all my childhood memories and the possibility of relating folklore to the next generation, what a shame.
I’m sorry but concrete never gave me a “natural feel”. Perhaps I’m missing something?
So what wrong if you fall , that’s part of the “natural feel”, you not talking about a side walk. How many times ive gone on hikes and when somebody “dematay” that’s all good and well fun.
Stupes
nothing natural about concrete! Seriously next you will hear they putting concrete steps on the trail to boiling lake
I highly doubt that.
really Robbie? what was wrong with Jack’s Walk? I mean tripping over a stone or root isn’t that part of the natural experience? also why would tourists need a guide for Jalk’s Walk. It is a one way trail. additionally why would it cost 60 thousand dollars to enhance Jalk’s Walk? SMH Robbie you have lost so much of your direction and worth as a decent thinking human it is ridiculous. but thanks for trying.
Them man mad, It’s amazing how much more intelligent the average citizen is than them.
Don’t ask what’s wrong with Jack’s Walk. Upgrading is good and safer walks are,but, $60,000 has to be a mathematical error. Plus, guide? Why? Oh, you mean a guide for a Gardens & Morne Bruce tour!!??
But what nonsense I reading there nuh. Who the hell will want to run on gravel?
I’m a labourite who doesn’t like Lennox head for nothing. But I don’t like this move. A lot of tourist come to Dominica for a hike. Jackswalk was a good one for a little challenge but not to difficult walking up natural dirt steps
Oh my goodness, if the minister for tourism thinks the footpath to the Emerald Pool looks natural, this island is in BIG trouble. ‘Lots of people have fallen’ he says. How many ? Do you have a figure ? There should be proper consultation on these projects before anyone starts pouring concrete on a whim or because they think it is incumbent upon them to ‘make nature safer’.
It is a sad day to see what was done to Jack’s walk. This concrete looks terrible, I saw a big labourite say “who prefers to walk in mud than on nice concrete.” I agree some work needed to be done on the trail but the excess of concrete just doesn’t cut it. Are we going to concrete the trail to trafalgar falls next? What happen to the wood that was used on our past trails. Just now the trail around the fresh water lake will be concrete, because CONCRETE=DEVELOPMENT in Dominica. SAD!
My concern with this project is with the lack of natural material. why concrete? I have been to many trials around the World and the tendency is to remain and maintain the natural environment as closely as possible. I am sure with a little bit more consultation and involvement with environmentalist and forestry we could come with natural materials to enhance the trail. Secondly the steps will make it harder for the physically different and challenged persons to access the Jacks Walk; in addition the run off or lack of runoff from rain may pose some challenge to users. My hope is that proper drainage be carried out and that steps are only constructed where necessary. I recommend that a different approach is taken even at this late stage to save as much as possible the natural trail; concrete detracts from nature and the beauty it has to offer steps and concrete trails, steps and paths it is being found out are hard on the ankles and lower back of hikers and trail explorers. .
Just some concerns…Will guard rails be installed? How slippery will the concrete steps be when it rains? Finally, how will this project be integrated into the proposed by-pass road to be constructed at the back of the Botanic Gardens.
The upgrading of Jack’s Walk is another step towards the complete rehabilitation of the city of Roseau. The government continues to labour to ‘build back better’ for the people and for the benefit of Dominica as a whole, so we have a sustained tourism product and stabilized economic growth.
As long as the natural aesthetic appeal isn’t lost, things should be fine. Good luck with this project, Jack’s Walk is great for a small hike and picnicking.
We should use more natural stone rather than concrete. It is the same story with our old pave that got covered up with concrete and asphalt, Historical cities in Europe are proud of their heritage and continue to use traditional paving techniques to enhance their beauty, such as Lisbon in Portugal to name but one. Stone we don’t have to import , cement we do!
A valid suggestion Titiwi, to which I might add local hardwoods as an alternative for step edges. But whatever the material, the devil is in the detail. There are very few tourism sites in the region that I would categorise as “award winners”.