Minister Visits West End Playground

Public Works Minister Michael Weeks today [Dec.7] demonstrated swing sets were for the young at heart as well as the very young when he visited the recently completed playground at Somerset Long Bay park.

After having a go on the newly-installed swings along with constituency MP Michael Scott, the Works Minister said 80 percent of the playground structure was built from recyclable products, making it environmentally friendly.

“These playgrounds … encourage healthy lifestyles and help children to gain confidence in their physical capabilities by making exercise fun and rewarding — indeed, the kids probably don’t even know they are exercising!” he said. “My one plea to users of this playground is to help keep it clean and tidy because at the end of the day, it belongs to you. Please report any issues of vandalism and graffiti or any broken equipment in a timely manner so we can keep this playground clean and pristine.

“Finally, on behalf of the Somerset residents, thank you to all involved in bringing this project to fruition — the Department of Parks, Horsfield Landscape and Design for installation of the play pieces…as well as Joe Bothello Construction for the generous donation of the rubble used for infilling this area.”

Mr. Weeks was also joined by the Parks workers who built the structure.

The Minister’s Full Remarks Appear Below:

Good morning,

Thank you for coming out to beautiful Somerset Long Bay for the opening of the latest community playground.

The Department of Parks has been working on playground installations and improvements for several years now. Recently installed playgrounds include Shelly Bay and Warwick Long Bay.

These playgrounds have proven to be immensely popular and it is well known that the playground at Warwick Long Bay is very actively used, especially during weekends.

Lacking a playground in the west, in 2010 the residents of Somerset asked the Ministry Public Works for assistance. The Department of Parks was then challenged with making a playground in the west a reality.

Well, a year and a bit….here we are today at this beautiful new playground.

This spot at Somerset Long Bay is an ideal location. At almost 4 acres, this Park is bordered by two protected reserves: the Bermuda National Trust’s Pitman Reserve and a property of the Bermuda Audubon Society.

There is sufficient parking, wide open spaces and a beautiful beach. Now the children have somewhere fun and safe to play!

For those who may not be aware, this area used to be covered with an invasive growth of cow cane. The site was cleared and graded and the playground installed by contractors Horsfield Landscape and Design.

These playgrounds also encourage healthy lifestyles and help children to gain confidence in their physical capabilities by making exercise fun and rewarding – indeed, the kids probably don’t even know they are exercising!

My one plea to users of this playground is to help keep it clean and tidy because at the end of the day, it belongs to you. Please report any issues of vandalism and graffiti or any broken equipment in a timely manner so we can keep this playground clean and pristine.

Finally, on behalf of the Somerset residents, thank you to all involved in bringing this project to fruition – the Department of Parks, Horsfield Landscape and Design for installation of the play pieces…as well as Joe Bothello Construction for the generous donation of the rubble used for infilling this area.

I am sure families will enjoy this playground for many years to come.

Thank you.

#BermudaGovernment #BermudianChildren #Somerset

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