Previous plans to open a Kew Garden-style botanical area at the Sir Winston Churchill Memorial Park were dropped on Thursday after scores of Islanders objected to the scheme during a meeting at St Brelade’s Parish Hall.
Bruce Labey, founder of the Jersey Botanic Garden Trust, said that because of the overwhelming opposition that location would no longer be pursued but he still planned to bring endangered and exotic plant life from other areas of the world to Jersey.
And his idea is being supported by John Henwood, former chairman of the Tourism Shadow Board, who says a botanical garden would be an ‘exceptional attraction’ for visitors to come to the Island.
Mr Henwood, who attended the meeting on Thursday and voiced his support for the scheme, said a botanical garden could help put the Island on the map like the Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust.
‘I know from my time with the Tourism Shadow Board that gardens are a huge attraction for visitors. But a botanical garden would be an exceptional attraction,’ he said.
‘I am very proud of Durrell and the work they do and to have something like that for plants would be great.
‘It reminds me of the Eric Young Orchid Foundation I remember the small beginnings and now it is known worldwide and visitors make the effort of going there and some come to Jersey just to see it.’
Mr Labey said that he was now going back to the drawing board and added that other sites such as Fort Regent, the Lavender Farm and Reg’s Garden have all been considered.
‘With Fort Regent it has the potential to be fabulous and we have the vision of creating a “Hanging Garden of St Helier”,’ he said.
‘We had a meeting with Transport and Technical Services in the middle of last year but it is a non-starter until a link is established with Snow Hill.’
Churchill Park is in St Brelade’s Bay, in the west of the Island. It features a memorial bust of Sir Winston Churchill near the main entrance, as well as a waterfall.
Entrances to the park:
Main entrance: from Rue de La Valeuse in St Brelade’s Bay.
Alternative entrance: via Park Estate (steep downhill path this way).
Opening times:
Churchill Park is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year with free admission.
Churchill Park facilities include:
- cafés on the adjacent beachfront promenade
- toilets – including disabled and baby changing facilities in Woodford car park, St Brelades Bay
- a large grass area suitable for picnics – no ball games permitted
- a formal park
The park is not suitable for wheelchairs.
Parking
Public parking available in the adjacent Woodford car park (payment type: paycards).
Source: gov.je
