Public Parks Regulation (Amendment) Bill, 2024
Basseterre, St. Kitts –
A Bill to modernize the management and governance of public parks across St. Kitts and Nevis, also known as the Public Parks Regulation (Amendment) Bill, 2024, was successfully passed in the Federal Parliament on Thursday, November 28, 2024.
Hon. Samal Duggins.
Bill Details
The Bill was moved by the Honourable Samal Duggins, Minister responsible for Agriculture, Fisheries, Marine Resources and Cooperatives, Small Business and Entrepreneurship, Sports, and the Creative Economy.
During the second reading of the Bill, Minister Duggins emphasized the importance of updating the 1944 Public Parks Regulation Act, last amended in 1998, to address the evolving needs of communities across the country.
The Honourable Minister outlined the historical context of the original Act, which aimed to protect public parks, regulate their use, and assign management responsibilities to the Ministry of Tourism, Culture, and Sports. However, as Minister Duggins noted, the existing framework faced challenges in accommodating community parks designed for broader purposes, such as family gatherings, playgrounds, and environmental education.
Key Updates
The Public Parks Regulation (Amendment) Bill, 2024, has several key updates, including:
Benefits
Minister Duggins highlighted the benefits of these changes.
“This Bill is about creating more opportunities for our people. More parks for more people—this amendment allows Ministries such as Social Development and Environment to create parks that cater to children, families, and communities, not just athletes or tourists,” he said.
Sustainable Development Goals
The amendment supports St. Kitts and Nevis’ vision of becoming a sustainable island state while contributing to several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Specifically, it advances SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-Being), SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), SDG 13 (Climate Action), SDG 15 (Life on Land), and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals) by fostering accessible green spaces, promoting environmental stewardship, and encouraging inter-ministerial collaboration.
“Madam Speaker, this Bill is a statement of our commitment to creating a future where every citizen benefits from shared public spaces that support health, culture, and the environment. By linking the development and management of parks with sustainable practices, this amendment contributes significantly to our national vision and the global goals under the UN SDGs,” said Minister Duggins.
Conclusion
The Public Parks Regulation (Amendment) Bill, 2024, which had its first reading on November 08, 2024, now stands as a testament to the government’s dedication to fostering community spaces that reflect the culture, values, and aspirations of the people of St. Kitts and Nevis.
FAQs
Q: What is the purpose of the Public Parks Regulation (Amendment) Bill, 2024?
A: The Bill aims to modernize the management and governance of public parks across St. Kitts and Nevis, updating the 1944 Public Parks Regulation Act to address the evolving needs of communities.
Q: What are the key updates in the Bill?
A: The Bill allows for greater flexibility in the creation of parks, assigns management and maintenance responsibilities to the proposing Ministry, and updates definitions to align with modern governance practices.
Q: What are the benefits of the Bill?
A: The Bill creates more opportunities for the people, allowing for the creation of parks that cater to children, families, and communities, not just athletes or tourists. It also advances several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
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