The Tribune

HURRICANE Matthew may have caused widespread damage on North Andros, Grand Bahama and New Providence but it had relatively little destructive impact on the country’s national parks.

The Bahamas National Trust (BNT) had recently moved its administrative offices from the Retreat on Village Road to new premises on East Bay Street.

The Retreat garden is being developed to welcome more visitors, and will continue to be the top venue for BNT events and educational programmes. The century-old wooden buildings at the Retreat - former estate of Arthur and Margaret Langlois - are being converted into a visitor centre, museum and shop.

Many palms and large trees at the Retreat were toppled by the storm. Those that can be saved will be propped up and others will be replaced. The buildings sustained only minor roof damage.

“The effect on the coppice at the Retreat was distressing,” said BNT Deputy Executive Director Lynn Gape. “But our terrific staffers reported for work on Tuesday to restore the garden for the upcoming Wine and Art Festival.”

Corporate partner Bahamas Waste provided dumpsters for the effort and hauled away the larger debris that was unable to be mulched.

“Our 65 BNT staffers escaped with minor or moderate damage to their homes or offices, and no injuries were reported,” Ms Gape said.

On Eleuthera, the Levy Preserve was spared the brunt of the storm and remains open. Warden Henry Nixon reported that park infrastructure on Inagua survived the storm, and the flamingos have returned to Lake Rosa.

The boardwalk and observation pavilion at Bonefish Pond on New Providence suffered some damage but they can be salvaged with a little work.

There was no significant damage to the buildings at the Primeval Forest National Park on New Providence, but some of the safety railings need repair. The majestic, signature mahogany tree at this park survived the storm.

Andros reported no damage to the pavilions at the Blue Holes National Park. Warden Henry Haley was able to reach the Exuma Cays Land and Sea Park on October 8 and reported no major structural damage.

Grand Bahama was one of the hardest hit islands, and the three national parks there all suffered vegetative damage. The mangrove boardwalk at the Lucayan National Park will need repair.

“We are fortunate to have suffered relatively little structural damage,” said BNT Executive Director Eric Carey. “Especially since so many other buildings were severely damaged or destroyed on the most affected islands.”

Clean up, repairs and damage assessments will continue over the coming months. New Providence and Grand Bahama parks will remain closed until further notice.

BNT members are asked to support general hurricane relief efforts, especially on Andros, New Providence and Grand Bahama where many have lost their homes and are suffering greatly as a result of the storm.