Transformation of Collins Estate by AMMC part of Earth Day Tree Campaign

One of the key features of Earth Day this year will be the planting of millions of trees around the world, including the Bahamas.

The United Nations is urging communities around the world to make tree planting pledges with the goal of planting at least a billion trees each year.

As part of this international campaign, Bahamian artist Antonius Roberts has been given the task of transforming the grounds of the former Collins mansion on Shirley Street into a unique public park featuring native trees and plants, a playground and sculpture gardens.

This project - commissioned by the Antiquities, Monuments and Museums Corporation (AMMC) - will precede renovation of the building itself. The AMMC has been responsible for archaeological research and heritage conservation in the Bahamas since it was created by parliament in 1998.

Although work on the grounds of the Collins Estate has already begun, the project is being officially launched today as part of the Earth Day activities. The donation and planting of a variety of indigenous trees is a key element of the grounds project.

"Centreville" was the name of the original wooden home that stood on the site as early as 1871. That house was wrecked by the 1929 hurricane and the present concrete building was constructed in 1931 by Ralph Collins, a prominent citizen who died in 1946.

The property was occupied by St Andrew's School from 1950 to 1971, when it was acquired by the government. The AMMC moved to adjacent buildings on the Collins Estate in 2005.

Centreville has been undergoing structural repairs for the past year, based on the advice of preservation architects. Exterior renovations will begin soon, with the intention of restoring the building to its former grandeur for use as a national library or museum.

The grounds renovation projeot is in three phases. The western area includes the old St Andrew's soccer pitch, the centre of which will be kept open to support a variety of public uses, induding cultural festivals. Surrounding this open space will be three distinct focal points, all planted with native hardwoods and shrubs.

A sculpture garden will encircle a bubbling pond at the northwestern edge of the grounds, overlooking Shirley Street. Carved benches in the shape of Lucayan ceremonial stools will be placed in this area.

Nearby, a circular labyrinth is being built marked out by coco plum bushes. At the southwestern edge of the soccer pitch, a childrens I treehouse will be built in a Lucayan motif, using casuarina logs milled on site.

The central part of the grounds, directly in front of the maiI} building, will become a formal, structured garden, featuring a replica of the original fountain that once formed the centrepiece for this area. And the eastern section will be planted with native fruit trees.

It is envisaged that horse-drawn surreys will include the grounds in their tours, adding to the ambiance.

"We want to revive this whole compound and use it as a reservoir for indigenous hardwoods, fruit trees and shrubs," Mr Roberts said. "We want to create an oasis in the centre of the city where people can relax and meditate.

"The whole concept of transforming spaces is something that I've been involved in for years."

Roberts has participated in exhibitions around the world and taught art at the Government High School and the College of The Bahamas for years. He has mentored an entire generation of young Bahamian artists, and he played a leading role in the restoration of the former Villa Doyle as a national art gallery.

Technical input for today's tree planting exercise is being provided by Tanya Ferguson, curator of The Bahamas National Trust's Retreat Garden on Village Road, and Leno Davis, a botanist at the College of the Bahamas. Local gardeners have been invited to donate native trees to help fill out the grounds. They can be dedicated to the memory of a loved one if desired.

Planting out the grounds of Centreville House is the AMMC's contribution to the Million Tree Campaign.

It is part of an effort by environmentalists to counter the destruction of native trees that is occurring throughout the country. These trees support Bahamian wildlife and are well-adapted to local growing conditions.They form an important part of our natural heritage.

More importantly, the grounds project is intended to be a pivotal aspect of the national programme to revitalize the city of Nassau. It will offer the public an exciting yet relaxing green~space oasis to escape the hustle and bustle of city life.

Contributors to the Centreville grounds renovation include The Nature Conservancy, The Bahamas National Trust, Earthstone Construction, Native Sun Landscaping, Robin Hardy, and the Hub. Local artists and artisans are also being invited to participate in the project, which will be completed by the summer.

Larry Smith
Earth Day Supplement, The Tribune
April 22, 2009