History of the National Conservation Commission formerly the Parks & Beaches Commission
Late in the 1960’s three members of the Council of the Barbados National Trust were invited to come to Government Headquarters to consider with the Permanent Secretary concerning what action might be taken to preserve and beautify the island’s parks and beaches.
After a detailed discussion, the Trust members submitted a brief report to the Government to determine which Ministry of Government would undertake the necessary duties and responsibility. The Government very wisely decided early in 1970 to set up a separate Statutory Authority, which was charged with the preservation and beautification of the Island’s public parks and beaches.
Legislation was prepared and subsequently enacted by Parliament. The Parks and Beaches Act of 1970 duly received the Governor General’s assent on the 31st of March 1970.Under the provisions of the Act, the Parks and Beaches Commission was appointed in May 1970 under the Chairmanship of My. Lyle Carmichael and Deputy Chairman Mrs. Iris Bannochie.
The Board Members were the late Senator D.A. Wiles.CMG, OBE, Rev. H. St. C. Tudor, Mr. S. G. Duesbury, and Mr. J. A. Connell, LLB.Lon. The Government placed under the authority of the Commission not only the public parks such as Queen’s Park, Farley Hill and King George V Park, but also other public areas worthy of beautification such as Rockley Beach, the seaside of the East Coat Road, Bay Street Esplanade and Folkestone Park.
