Daraine Luton, Sunday Gleaner Reporter

Children enjoy riding the merry-go-round at Coconut Park in this December 1975 photograph.

IT HAS been nine years since Coconut Park's closure broke the hearts of thousands of Jamaicans who prize the recreation spot.

Trees and grass now overrun the two and a half acres of land, situated adjacent to Hope Gardens in Mona, St. Andrew. All that is left of the park now are rusting metal frames which were once sources of amusement. Memories are the only things that glow now and, unless money can be found, Coconut Park will remain dead for a long time.

Grace Duncan, president of Fair Share Limited, owner of Coconut Park, was almost desperate in her plea for investors. She told The Sunday Gleaner that they need a financial partner to enable the park to breath again.

"We need investors to partner with us so that we can get the park up and running," Ms. Duncan said. Fair Share Foundation owned and operated the park until it was closed in June of 1997 due to financial difficulties and numerous concerns about the safety of rides on the bumper cars, roller coasters, trains, merry-go-rounds, and other attractions.

The Ministry of Agriculture at one point had issued the park operators notice to quit Hope Estates. Restaurant of Jamaica, operators of fast food chain Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC), had offered to help in the renovation of Coconut Park, but despite the loads of cash that was earmarked for the renovation, the Ministry of Agriculture insisted on Coconut Park going. The ministry argued, among other things, that the presence of Coconut Park was not in keeping with the redevelopment plan of Hope Estates.

The redevelopment plan of which they speak has been articulated by Karl Binger as one which is aimed at restoring Hope Gardens and the zoo to its glory years. Mr. Binger, executive director of the Nature Preservation Foundation, has said that the zoo will take on a whole new look. "The natural habitat is what we are trying to achieve," he told The Sunday Gleaner. While he spoke of the plans to redevelop Hope Estates - the gardens and the zoo, he could not speak to Coconut Park, which, Ms. Duncan claims, used to be the pulling attraction at the location.

Fair Share, however, has convinced government that their theme park idea for the new Coconut Park will fit into the redevelopment plan. Last year they were granted a 49-year lease on the property. One year has already elapsed on the lease agreement and although Fair Share say investors have come forward, they have not been impressive.

But Jamaicans are longing for another Coconut Park. "I long for the day when this place re-opens," one woman told The Sunday Gleaner last week during a visit to the facility. Like so many Jamaicans, she has childhood memories of going to Coconut Park, describing it as "something I have always looked forward to".

It, however, will take approximately $66 million (US$1.5 million) to create the proposed interactive theme park for children.

Founded in the 1960's by the Jamaica Association for Persons with Mental Retardation (JAMR)and the Polio Foundation of Jamaica, now the Sir John Golding Foundation, the amusement park not only provided entertainment for children but revenue for both Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs. They now operate under the business name Fair Share Limited.

"It is painful to see Coconut Park in its present condition," said Ms. Duncan, adding that both founding organisations are also being deprived of the revenue to make the lives of the mentally and physically challenged persons better.

"The country is in need of recreational spots like these ... people look forward to the renovation of Coconut Park and for us this cannot be too soon," Ms. Duncan added.