The main gate of the Dominica Botanic Gardens in Roseau has been closed to the public, according to a public service announcement issued to residents.
The closure affects the principal entrance to the gardens, the capital's oldest and most central green space. Members of the public who normally enter and leave through that gate are advised to use the other entrances to the grounds while the closure remains in effect.
The announcement did not state a reason for the closure or say how long it is expected to last. No date was given for when the gate might reopen.
The Botanic Gardens occupies a large block in the heart of Roseau, bordered by Valley Road, Bath Road and the grounds around Government Headquarters. It is used daily by office workers, students, elderly residents and visitors taking exercise or resting in the shade, and it is a regular route for people moving between the city centre and the surrounding streets.
Because the gardens sit in the middle of the capital, the loss of the main gate is likely to be felt most by pedestrians who cut through the grounds on their way to and from work, school and the market. Residents who rely on that entrance should plan to add a short detour to their journeys until further notice.
The gardens are also one of Dominica's best-known heritage sites. They were laid out in the nineteenth century and are home to a celebrated collection of tropical trees and plants, including a baobab and a breadfruit tree associated with the island's history. The grounds contain the national aviary, a cricket field and a number of historic memorials, and they are a customary gathering point for national events, school visits and quiet recreation.
Public service announcements of this kind are issued when access to a government-managed site changes at short notice. Residents are asked to pass on the information to neighbours, relatives and anyone who may not have seen the notice, particularly older persons and those without regular access to online updates.
The public is advised to observe any signage posted at the remaining entrances and to follow the directions of staff on the ground. Further information on the closure, including any change to the arrangements, is expected to be released through the usual official channels.
Dominica 1 will carry any update to the closure as soon as it is confirmed.
2
