When it was laid out as a public park in 1853, the botanist who designed it filled it with plant specimens from all over Guyana, a country rich in agricultural and Amazonian forest lands.
Before it was a park, it was a parade ground for the British military, and the British Governor’s mansion was built across the road from it. It is now the State House, home of Guyana’s President.
The bandstand pavilion was built for Queen Victoria’s 1897 Jubilee; the statue of Gandhi was dedicated in 1969 at the 100th anniversary of his birth.
Over the years, seats, pavilions and monuments were added, and it became a popular place for cultural events, as well as the site for some years of agricultural and horticultural fairs.
On a recent visit to Guyana, my traveling companion and I stayed in an apartment only a short distance away, always planning to spend some time there, in a place that is part of her childhood memories. We only got there near the end of our time.
Sadly, at the moment, this beautiful garden is not fully open to the public, although it hosts events including a painting class that was in session during our walk through the garden.
Since 2004, a local bank has sponsored rehabilitation and maintenance works. Later in the year, the garden is awash in color and lush greenery, with fountains and blankets of flowers covering the archways. As pleasant as it was, I hope someday to see it in full flower.
