China-Guyana Joe Vieira Friendship Park nears completion

The highly anticipated China/Guyana Joe Vieira Friendship Park, a US$12 million development set to become a landmark space for sports, leisure, and family recreation along the West Bank of Demerara, is now 83% complete. The project remains on schedule, according to an update from the Ministry of Public Works.

Funded through a grant from the Government of China, the park is a major step in Guyana’s national push to expand modern recreational spaces and improve community infrastructure. Once completed, it will feature facilities for football, basketball, volleyball, table tennis, and lawn tennis, along with a dedicated children’s play area. The design combines modern activity zones with preserved green spaces, including local species of trees and landscaped lawns, creating an inviting environment for both physical activity and relaxation.

Accessibility has also been built into the plan. Three main entrances will guide visitors into the sprawling park, complemented by a new exit road under construction at Schoonard. Additional road upgrades in the surrounding area are planned to support smoother traffic flow and improved access for residents and visitors.

An artist impression of the Guyana-China Friendship Park.

During a recent site inspection, Minister within the Ministry of Public Works, Madanlall Ramraj, expressed satisfaction with the project’s progress. Accompanied by officials from the Protected Areas Commission, technical officers, and contractors, Ramraj highlighted the park’s social value, noting that national infrastructure is about more than just roads—it’s about connecting people.

He underscored that the park will provide families with a safe, engaging space to spend quality time together, encourage youth participation in sports, and promote overall healthier lifestyles. Once open, the Joe Vieira Friendship Park is expected to emerge as a key recreational attraction in Region Three, offering residents and sports enthusiasts an eco-friendly venue for relaxation, physical activity, and community bonding.

As the project advances toward completion, anticipation continues to build across the region for what will soon be one of Guyana’s premier public parks—made possible through international collaboration and a shared vision for sustainable community development.

Sino-Carib News