New steps being constructed in the Primeval Forest National Park
Preparing Parks to Welcome You Back.
[insignia_section_heading title=”While national parks were closed to the public, our wardens and maintenance teams have been hard at work to ensure parks are ready to welcome you back.” subtitle=”” align=”text-left” separator=”disable” heading_tag=”h2″ heading_font_size=”18″ font_weight=”font-weight-300″ heading_color=”#343434″ subtitle_font_weight=””]Trust Notes | September 2020 Issue
During national lockdowns and reduced operating hours, national parks have been quiet with little to no human traffic. Trails became covered in leaf litter, banana spiders built their webs across walkways, some invasive species started to creep in and, naturally, park infrastructure started to deteriorate a bit.
There was lots of maintenance needed before we could welcome you back to explore your national parks, safely.
National parks protect some of the most beautiful and interesting natural areas in The Bahamas. These spaces are ripe for adventure and are becoming more and more sought after for recreation and exploration by locals and visitors alike.
These areas aren’t easily accessible, but because of our donors, we are able to build infrastructure in the most remote and sensitive natural areas, allowing people to experience the great outdoors.
Boardwalks are one of the most common types of structures we place in national parks. On land, where parks protect a variety of forest and wetland habitats, exploration still isn’t as simple as putting one foot in front of the other. These areas, which provide opportunities for activities like hiking, birdwatching, and even blue hole jumping, are often inaccessible without established trails, boardwalks, and overlooks.
When we build boardwalks, we take many things into consideration. Of course, ‘where’ is the most important. These structures are a balance between user friendliness and a commitment to conservation.
They are constructed with careful intention, built in a way that has the least impact on the environment. We use special treatments and wood that can last in outdoor environments, exposed to the elements. Still, after a while, these structures can deteriorate and weaken. At Bonefish Pond National Park a portion of the boardwalk had become unstable and dangerous to walk on.
At Primeval Forest, the structures started to weaken and became covered with algae and moss. Trees started to overgrow trails and into areas that made access difficult.
In the Lucayan National Park, the BNT Team took advantage of the park’s closure to continue essential post-Dorian infrastructure repairs.
Thanks to our donors, BNT Teams sprang into action to restore these important parts of these national parks before reopening these special spaces to the public.
Boardwalk repairs at Bonefish Pond and Primeval Forest National Parks
BNT Grand Bahama Team | completed the extension of the mangrove boardwalk by approximately 2000 ft. This boardwalk had been severely damaged after Hurricane Dorian.
Even though infrastructure maintenance is not the most glamorous aspect of national park management, it is truly critical to resource protection and visitor access.
For the past few months, infrastructure in many parks has been receiving much needed repairs and upgrades! Infrastructure in parks across the country is now in fantastic condition and ready to receive you again.
Reconstruction of the thatch roof of the Lucayan Hut in The Leon Levy Native Plant Preserve | This hut is an integral part of the Edible History experience at the Levy Preserve, which gives visitors an idea of how the first indigenous people of The Bahamas lived. The restoration process involves hundreds of hand-cut palms being manually affixed in alternating circles from base to apex, keeping the interior cool and aerated just as the original architects of design had intended.
Natural resource management is also an important part of park maintenance. Invasive species removal and forest management are some components of this.
Your national parks are areas of outstanding natural beauty and are wonderful assets that should be accessible to everyone. Without boardwalks and other structures, people would never see the incredible beauty hidden within these protected areas.
Metaphorically, our donors are the ones who lay each plank in the boardwalks built in national parks. Because of their generosity and support, national parks are accessible to all.
We know you’ve missed your national parks, and we’re excited to welcome you back to experience their wonder. You need fresh air and open natural spaces to feel good again.
To see which national parks are currently opened and for national park visitation guidelines click here.
