‘Expressions Of Interest’ Invited For Southlands

September 20, 2022

The Government is inviting “expression of interest for renovation or development & use” of Southlands Park in Warwick, noting that it is “endowed with great potentials which are worth considering for Public Private Partnership initiatives to make it become more beneficial to the community” and for “purposes that will be complimentary to the National Park system.”

The document [PDF] said, “The Southlands Park is a 37 acre parcel located on South Road in Warwick Parish. It was designated as a National Park in 2011 when the site was transferred to the Government in exchange of Morgan’s Point parcel of land.

“It boasts of 7 Cottages, endemic banyan trees/shrubbery, water catchment, an open grassed lawn, woodland walks, quarry gardens & ponds, a beach and other remarkable natural attractions. The Park is considered to be endowed with great potentials which are worth considering for Public Private Partnership initiatives to make it become more beneficial to the community.

southlands bermuda trees

“The interest being sought are in two forms

  1. The renovation or redevelopment and use of any of the existing 7 Cottages in the north part of the Park located north of South Road for purposes that will be complimentary to the National Park system
  2. The development of a new Café, washrooms and beach equipment storage being proposed on the part of the Park south of South Road, overlooking the beach/ocean.

“As part of the improvements or developments on the southern part of the Park [south of the South Road], the Ministry is proposing to develop public car parking spaces, picnic site, woodland walking tracks, events lawn and a historic WWII gun battery platform – all of which are intended to improve the Park for better enjoyment. The access to the beach will be improved; and the cliff face will also be reinforced to preserve the coastline and, or improve the beach.

“The Ministry will procure the designs and secure the necessary Planning/Building consent for the development of the Restaurant and other ancillary facilities, including the public car park, picnic site and the woodland walking tracks. Parties interested in the Restaurant related developments will be provided with proposed or approved designs for consideration to assist with their submission.

“On the northern part [north of South Road], there would be improvements to woodland walking tracks, quarry gardens/ponds, replacement of invasive trees/plants with endemic tress/shrubbery and arrangements for the cultivation of fruit trees/plants and preservation of the natural habitat. The open grassed lawn would also be improved for events and visitors’ resource centre would be created as part of the renovations to the main Cottage.”

Last year the Government held a public consultation process where they invited feedback on what “amenities, activities and experiences” should be offered at the Southlands Park.

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Comments (9)

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  1. Joe Bloggs says:

    “The Southlands Park is a 37 acre parcel located on South Road in Warwick Parish. It was designated as a National Park in 2011 when the site was transferred to the Government in exchange of Morgan’s Point parcel of land.”

    Yes, it’s a park. The PLP Government traded away the U.S. Naval Annex to obtain it. Why now is the PLP Government seeking expressions of interest for the “development & use” of a public park?

  2. maddog says:

    LEAVE IT ALONE…it is a lovely place like it is…concessions and event spaces bring trash and uncaring people who can’t seem to understand the concept of “leave only footprints”…..so LEAVE IT PLEASE

  3. Micro says:

    A good site for development on parkland is Shelly Bay where a restaurant and concession already existed. Southland’s has been taken back by nature and the existing trails and paths should simply be maintained.

    What Parks and Public Rests should be concerned about is maintaining the miles of overgrown walking trails and parks and seeking a public private partnership to keep these passable and enjoyable for all. Should be part of the greater plan to promote a healthier Bermuda and make good use of those sugar tax dollars. Even cycling is becoming more hazardous with the appalling state of our roads.

    • sandgrownan says:

      The roads are a disgrace. The recent and ongoing trench-work has made the roads, in some cases, a death trap. They, and we, are once again victims of that well known Bermudian disease called “lack of accountability”.

  4. Triangle Drifter says:

    The PLP put out a survey to the public for possible use shortly after aquiring the property? What happened to it?

    Surely hundreds of people took the time to give their input. Did it go in the trash along with all the other input the PLP has supposedly sought from the public?

    • Joe Bloggs says:

      “Did it go in the trash along with all the other input the PLP has supposedly sought from the public?”

      Let’s hope so. The trash has not been collected so we can still find that other input!

  5. Sarah Smith says:

    now get a committee to disscuss it. then send it to arbitrade.
    more hot air from the bsers