Proposal for creation of an “Agro-Tourism Cultural Park” on Emilio Wilson Estate.
After hearing that government plans to purchase and control about 90 acres of the prime part of the Emilio Wilson Estate, we of the Elwaldo Richardson Memorial Agricultural Foundation would like to make this proposal for development.
This property was put on the monument list in order to preserve the history of this property as a plantation. As such it has become one of the most historical patrimonial part of our island. We have lost all of our other important historical assets like Fort Amsterdam and the Old Salt Mills.
As a tourist Island these are our most valuable assets and we must, while using them to show case, preserve them as much as possible for future generations.
We make this proposal based on creating activities around agriculture, arts and craft that the youths, especially those on the so call block, can participate in.
We want to show that this development will have the following effect on the economy and the population in general:
– Provide a more cultural and heritage base value to the population in general,
– Provide employment for a large section of the youths who cannot find jobs in the main stream business.
– Decrease the off flow of currency by production of fruits, vegetables and craft for sale.
– Positively increase the level of experience our visitors have to our island.
– Highlight our historical and cultural heritage.
– Decrease in crime by increasing opportunities for the youths
– Provide scholarship’s to students wishing to study in the field of agriculture, arts or any related profession needed to continually keep enhancing the sustainability of this project.
Impact on our tourism product.
At the moment we basically advertise our island highlighting our “sand, sea and sun” and 360 days of the year fine tropical weather. We have a lot more than that.
We have the most cultural and nationality divers population in the Caribbean, with over 100 different nationalities calling St. Maarten home and we need to learn how to take advantage of this diversity and make this into a tourism product.
In this park we can express this diversity through arts and craft created on the island by these various nationalities and exhibit these to our visitors. This will be a fusion of arts and culture and have an impact not only on tourist, but on our population in general.
Hopefully this will also give more understanding, value, respect and appreciation for each other culture, thereby also reducing crime.
Project description:
Fruit Crops. 20 acres.
All area will be selected based on best suitable location.
The fruit tree area will consist of a large variety of trees, some planted for exhibition and other for commercial uses. When harvested these fruits can be sold fresh and some can be processed into Jams, juices, etc.
Vegetable production 25 acres.
Vegetables and Herbs will be produced on a commercial scale, using the most innovated organic approach to farming. The produced will sold on the market and used in the Park’s Food court.
Animal husbandry. 15 acres.
The main activity of the Emilio Wilson Estate was Animal Husbandry. 10 will be used to grow grass that will cut and baled for animal feed. 5 acres for infrastructures housing domestic animals like Cows, Goats, Sheep, pigs etc.
Museum. 5 acres.
All of the Old Plantation Building will be restores as much as possible to its original looks and the interior deco will reflect the plantation history and heritage. This will be turned into a Museum.
Culture and Arts Alley. 2 acres.
This should be one of the high points of this Park. An infrastructure will be set up where some 40 young adults of various cultural back grounds, can be engage in producing arts and crafts, while visitors stroll along and admire. They will be much more enticed to pay for such a souvenir, because they feel the love and work that went into its creation.
Zoo. 3 acres.
At the moment the is located on reclaimed land next to the Salt pound on the Arch rd. It is a very harsh area for plants in general because of the extreme salty conditions that exist. This also effect some animals does not give great sustainability to the Zoo. The Zoo managers are rotated very frequently because of the many challenges they faces mainly because of this location.
Having the Zoo move to this location will provide a whole better environment for plants and animals, and will be a complement to this Park.
Botanical and herbal garden. 3 acres.
This garden will have a tropical design with hard scape that includes our heritage. A herbal garden will be established, with information on their medicinal purposes.
Tropical Rainforest. 5 acres.
Here local tropical trees will be planted and labeled. All trees on the island will be represented in this forest.
Center for the Performing Arts. 2 acres.
At the moment we do not have an up to standard Center for the Preforming Arts. Building such a center at this location would complement to this Cultural Park.
Horse and Donkey drawn carriages.
From the parking lot visitors may chose a variety of way’s to view the park. One of these would be taking these carriages that will travel along a route that will pass by all the exhibits. This route will be laid out to be about 1 mile long.
Marketing.
This project would eventually be the largest cultural manifestation on the island, and must be branded as such. With the right branding and promotion it is possible to direct 25-30% of our annual visitors to this Park.
If 300 000 people visit per year and spend an average of $ 20,-/person that would give a possible turnover of $6 000 000,-/ year.
In addition to this, there will be a turnover on all fresh produce sold to the market outside of the Park.
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