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In a vibrant celebration of community and conservation, over 50 distinguished guests and community members gathered in South Sound on Tuesday, December 17th at 4:30PM for the official opening of Pirate Cove Shoreline Park. The event marked the culmination of a significant environmental restoration effort, blending local tradition with innovative conservation techniques to create a new coastal haven. Hosted against a backdrop of serene sea views, the celebration featured the presence of esteemed guests including Her Excellency Governor Jane Owen, MP Roy McTaggart, MP Andre Ebanks, and Miss Supranational Cayman Islands 2024, Tracey Campbell. The event underscored the community’s commitment to nature and responsible stewardship. "We are thrilled to open Pirate Cove Shoreline Park, a testament to what we can achieve when community, government, and conservationists work together," said Melanie Carmichael, a spokesperson for the project. "This park is not just a space for recreation; it's a beacon of our dedication to preserving our beautiful shoreline and fostering community wellness." The park's design and construction involved numerous local experts and organizations. Joanne Mercille of Caribbean Blooms, the landscape consultant, played a crucial role in transforming the initial vision into reality, supported by the Department of Environment, the Public Lands Commission, and the Ministry of Sustainability and Climate Resiliency. The project also benefited from the generous support of the Pirate Cove Residents’ Association Ltd, which allowed the restoration of crucial beach access. The project was funded through the Darwin Plus Local grants scheme, which supported both the shoreline mangrove initiative and the native plant installation, showcasing the UK government’s commitment to supporting local conservation efforts.
The celebration featured insights from Sustainable Cayman Ambassadors Rickeem Lashley, Soleil Parkinson and Al Ebanks, who shared their experiences and the project’s achievements with the audience. Additionally, long-time youth ambassador Steff McDermott introduced her exciting new pilot project, "Roots of Resilience," a Mangrove VR experience supported by Sustainable Cayman, highlighting innovative approaches to environmental education. "Our ambassadors, like the mangrove seedlings we've nurtured, represent the future of conservation," added Melanie. "Their dedication is crucial as we continue to advance our goals of enhancing shoreline resiliency and employing nature-based solutions." The evening concluded with acknowledgments of local entrepreneurs Steff McDermott, chef Brittany Bodden and barman Kody Wright who provided refreshments made from locally sourced ingredients, and Miss World Cayman Islands 2022-2024 Leanni Tibbets, who was celebrated for her spirited participation in a recent radio campaign. Additional thanks to community local Jerry Kandiah for sound. Pirate Cove Shoreline Park is now open to the public, offering a sustainable space that protects the coast and enriches community life, embodying the spirit of resilience and cooperation that defines the Cayman Islands. The public are encouraged to get involved by visiting, joining the park’s Facebook group and posting photos of their visits. Those wishing to support Sustainable Cayman’s 2025 Ambassador’s program with a donation can do so by sending cheques payable to ‘Sustainable Cayman’ to the NPO’s registered office at P.O. Box 1110 Grand Cayman KY1-1102 or by local deposit to: First Caribbean Bank KY$ #10486277 First Caribbean Bank US$ #10486278