OBA’s Senator Fahy On Astwood Park/Scrambling

September 11, 2012

It is important that the integrity of the parks system is maintained for our future generations while also ensuring that open space is used properly for recreational purposes, OBA Senator Michael Fahy said this past Friday.

The Senator was speaking in reference to the youth motocross programme being organized by the Department of Parks, which will see a section of Astwood Park be used as a scrambling track for two hours a day Monday – Friday.

Senator Fahy said: “There has been much discussion in the media this week about a motocross track being sited in Astwood Park. There is great public interest. I have received numerous calls from people asking me to get involved.

“I thought it was best to get the facts from someone at the heart of the matter. So I called the man in whose constituency Astwood Park is, Marc Bean, the Minister of the Environment, Planning and Infrastructure Strategy, to find out whether was being alleged by critics was true.

“I believe that before Bermudians make up their minds about this project, they should allow Minister Bean and his colleague, the Minister of Works and Engineering, to publicly comment.

“Once we hear officially from the Government to get a fuller understanding of the project we will all be better placed to make a judgement about the need for such a track.

“In the meantime, I would be happy to sit down with Stuart Hayward of the Bermuda Environmental Sustainability Taskforce and the Government Ministers involved to assist the parties in coming to an understanding of their respective aims and concerns.

“As a more general comment it is always important that the integrity of the parks system is maintained for our future generations, whilst at the same time ensuring that open space is used properly for recreational purposes. The OBA wants to see Bermuda’s resources utilised in everyone’s common and best interests,” concluded Senator Fahy.

Speaking after Senator Fahy’s statement, the Ministry of Public Works said the planned scrambling track at Astwood Park takes up “very little space” and will be used for “mini scramblers for the younger kids” from 4 to 6pm from Monday to Friday on a one year trial basis.

The environmental group BEST has called the plan“inappropriate”, saying that Astwood Park was purchased by the Government after research in showed that Warwick was one of the most densely populated parts of the Island, and needed open space relief.

“We are aware that the conversion is being promoted as a ‘kiddie scrambling track’ as though the smaller bikes will not be as noisy or destructive to the environment through pollution and erosion,” said  BEST Chairman Stuart Hayward.

Update: The Public Works Ministry released a statement clarifying the situation, and also said: “Government greatly appreciates the common sense approach offered by Opposition Sen. Michael Fahy in terms of getting a better understanding of the project before casting judgment.”

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Category: All, Environment, News, Politics

Comments (25)

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  1. say it like it is. says:

    No, let them go to Southside, as always. There are many Parks that children can ride their push bikes. Marc Bean is trying his hardest to win votes with this insane idea of his. Leave the green places alone, after all, there are not many left. When the PLP get kicked out of office, all we’ll have left is concrete! No way Jose.

    • Portia says:

      What about kids in the West End? Are they expected to go to Southside as well? If a kid goes to school in Sandys, Warwick or Southampton and wants to participate, then they have to bus it to St. David’s after school (which will get them there well after 4:00, by the time they change buses in Hamilton) and they will be getting home long after dark in the winter months. Sorry, your plan doesn’t make sense and it isn’t really considering the best interests of the kids.

      • Sara says:

        It is not up to the government to steal public parkland so that a few kids can ride motorcycles.

      • green eggs and ham says:

        Are the best interest of the kids considered when an adult is putting them on motorized vehicle before they are old enough to understand the risks? By the looks of some of the test results I have seen ALL children should be in study hall getting tutored after school not out learning how to drive like a azz!

  2. Cedar Beams (Original) says:

    I simply do not believe that only electric bikes would have been used. I am convince that 2 stroke bikes would have been used and depending on the muffler they can be as loud as anything. Listen to the bikes 16 year olds ride. Same engine.

  3. trees says:

    It’s not noisy, not sure what all the fuss is about!?

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vut0Sjxw7w4

  4. Um Um Like says:

    How about a needle park instead?

  5. Oh dear says:

    Oh Dear,

    Doesn’t Marc Bean oversee the government’s sustainability group? I wonder what their take is on this idea?

  6. Unbelievable says:

    We cry for positive activities for our children but as soon as someone puts an idea forward in a controlled environment we have something negative to say. How many parents that live in the real world are home between these hours of the day? If someone wants to do something for our children to keep them off the streets and away from thugs and other negative opportunistic behaviour why is this even an issue? I would think that we as Bermudian’s would welcome something constructive and positive for our children to participate in!!!

    • Portia says:

      I totally agree with you. We should preserve our open areas, but I think we also need to consider the young people as well; this could be a positive experience for them, and we shouldn’t just shut the idea down without at least trying to come up with a workable solution for everyone.

  7. LongBayTradingCo. says:

    Memo to Mr. Bean (and Mr. Weeks) – I find Mr. Bean’s choice of wording last night on the t.v. news and again today on the radio news, as this project being “leaked” to BEST a very interesting use of wording, which clearly demonstrates exactly what a lot of us are feeling. That once again, backroom deals were being made WITHOUT the voting public having any knowledge of same, until it was “leaked” to BEST. Unfortunately Mr. Bean, the addage of “you reap what you sow” has never been truer than it is now for this deceitful (to coin a phrase from Dr. Brown) PLP government. While Mr. Bean (and perhaps Mr. Weeks) may feel that some of us “jumped to soon” and the area in question was the NORTH side of the park, not the “valley”; is irrelevant at this point. The voting public has been deceived once to often by this PLP govt and this incident goes to show that yet again, the Govt WAS PLANNING SOMETHING behind closed doors, without telling the voting public FIRST. That they are now suffering the fall out shows that this was NOT BEING DONE PROPERLY or in the light of public scrutiny. While Sen. Fahy encourages us to seek first what govt. had in mind, sorry Sen. Fahy they have run out of chances. I DONT BELIEVE ANYTHING THIS GOVT. and its officials tell us. They have shown us time and time again their lies and deceit and I for one am not prepared to give them another chance to lie again. Mr. Bean (and Mr. Weeks) – again, YOU REAP WHAT YOU SOW and the supposed emotions attached to this issue, which you say was “preempted” (another insteresting choice of words); are TOTALLY justified, as they are based PURELY on PLP past performance of deceitfulness and lies. I for one APPLAUD BEST, Mr. Hayward and thank him hugely for his service to Bermuda. Whether it was premature or preempted, north side or south side, I have NO faith in your after ‘the fact remarks’, ESPECIALLY now that you have been “found out” once it was “leaked” (your words) to BEST. Damage control thats all it is Mr. Bean, pure and simple damage control.
    Time for a change.
    Margaret Benn
    Warwick Resident, Bermuda tax payer and Bermuda voter.

  8. ABM says:

    LOL! Where are all the people from the other day who were spouting off nonesense and untruths about this whole thing? Even Senator Fahy said reserve judgment until you here all the FACTS!! What a smart man! And Im not being sarcastic either. But as most Bermudians like to do is spout off opinions based on bias thinking. Get a clue!!

    • Triangle Drifter says:

      Look what had to happen to extract any sort of detail about this, still hairbrained, scheme. Who is behind it? What is their connection to the PLP? Who says electric bikes only? Who is going to provide security to ensure terms of use are not ignored?

      Weekday use only? Get real…never happen. Electric bike only? Again, get real…never happen.

      Who does Weeks & the mystery operator think they are fooling?

      • ABM says:

        I feel where you are coming from as those are ligitiment questions we all should be asking. But seriously, your answering all your own questions with your own percieved opinions trying to pass them off as facts. Could it be that an area resident has expressed interest in this? Could they just be a regular voter who approached the gov’t with this idea with the backing of other residents? Who says its not electric bikes? Does it matter who is providing security? Why can’t it be weekday use only? Why can’t it be electric bikes or pedal bikes only? Why does Minister Weeks have to be fooling people all the time?

        • ABM says:

          these are the questions I ask because everyone is passing off opinions as facts and then running with it. Like Senator Fahy said, reserve judgement until all the facts are laid out. Funny thing with that is no mater what is said, people have their own opinions and regardless of what they are told or have read they will still beleive their own opinions becasue thats what they feel. Sort of like beating a dead horse looking for a different reaction. Or the old Bermuda thinking that my mother and father said this so it must be true. Bottom line, no matter what Minister Weeks says he will be looked upon as a liar in the eyes of some of the public.

  9. anne says:

    No thank you to this idea of motorbikes in parks. Also our South Shore is steadily being degraded by over-construction. For example, the housing complex opposite Southlands and the humongous gas station on South Shore Road.
    If Bean wants to score political points, let him look to the PHC field opposite Warwick Bowl for a motorcross. This field was supposed to have been developed for the community and still lies derelict.

  10. Family Man says:

    So who was lying? Have residents been consulted or not?

  11. heybye says:

    They are back pedaling like crazy since this back room deal was outed.
    Trying to put lipstick on a pig to make it beautiful so that it will fly with the public.
    Once the “watered down version” of the track is started,the real deal will take over and then there is no turning back.
    Typical PLP modas operandi, “we had to deceive you”
    What real Gov operates in this manner?

  12. Pastor Syl Hayward says:

    FACT: BEST reported a concern about a project that Government had failed to communicate to the public about. RUMOUR: The bulldozers were already there at Astwood Park poised to begin when BEST was notified about the issue. FACT: Government’s statement was that this project was going to take place on a year’s trial basis. SURMISE: not many, if any, residents were consulted, based on responses to the news about this project. FACT: There are other more appropriate places in the Western Parishes where a project of this sort could take place without destroying an unspoiled, serene,landmark tourist attraction. FACT: To initiate a project of this nature on this site would require a change to the site’s designation, in other words, another SDO. Wait for it.

  13. BWAT says:

    I seeeem to remember a motocross park in the vacinity of Southlands….hmmmmm…..wonder what ever could have happened to that.. O. Wait. PLP happened….

  14. M.P.Mountbatten JP says:

    Just friggin well say NO !

  15. Opressed says:

    We used to race go carts at NOB, go up there and race bikes.

  16. Common Sense says:

    It seems that most of the comments on this blog are not even noticing the approach taken by the OBA i.e. Senator Fahy on this issue. We are constantly being told that the Opposition are constantly whining and complaining and finding any excuse to criticize Government. It is clear that some in the public are angry and upset about this proposal, but Senator Fahy has adopted a sensible, practical approach.

    He heard the complaints and concerns, he spoke directly with the minister responsible for making the final decision, and he now suggests that he “would be happy to sit down with Stuart Hayward of the Bermuda Environmental Sustainability Taskforce and the Government Ministers involved to assist the parties in coming to an understanding of their respective aims and concerns.”

    For my money, that is absolutely the correct approach, and it should be adopted for many of the issues of the day. But it would be impossible if decisions, such as the White’s Island lease, are kept from the public until they are a fait accompli. Hats off to Senator Fahy on this one.

  17. Bermudian says:

    I say hats off to Senator Fahy and Mr. Bean for playing nice in the sand box! Remember, believe half of what you see and nothing of what you hear.