More Than 1,100 Sign Petition to Protect Public Access to Jolly Harbour Beach

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More than 1,100 people have signed an online petition calling on Prime Minister Gaston Browne and his Cabinet to preserve public parking and maintain practical public access to Jolly Harbour Beach amid concerns that development could limit access to the popular shoreline.

The petition, launched by the Antigua Conservation Society on Change.org, had attracted 1,186 verified signatures at the time of publication, with 203 people signing on Sunday alone.

Addressed to the prime minister, the petition argues that the issue extends beyond the loss of a parking area and concerns the broader principle of ensuring Antigua and Barbuda’s beaches remain genuinely accessible to the public.

“We respectfully ask you and your Cabinet to protect long-standing public access to Jolly Harbour Beach by preserving practical public parking and convenient beach access for the people of Antigua and Barbuda,” the petition states.

Organizers say the parking area formed part of the original Jolly Harbour development and has served Antiguans, residents, visitors, yacht owners, villa guests, local businesses and tourists for decades.

They contend that reduced parking would make it increasingly difficult for members of the public to enjoy one of the country’s most popular beaches.

The petition also highlights the historical significance of the area, stating that archaeological evidence indicates people have lived along and used the Jolly Harbour coastline for about 5,000 years.

According to the petition, protecting public access is essential not only for current users but also for future generations.

“We support responsible investment and thoughtful development. Tourism is essential to our economy, and quality development creates jobs and opportunities. However, development should be planned in a way that protects public access and respects the rights of the people who call Antigua and Barbuda home,” the petition says.

The organizers are asking the government to ensure adequate public parking and convenient beach access remain part of the future development of Jolly Harbour Beach and that similar protections are applied to future coastal developments across Antigua and Barbuda.

Supporters have also been encouraged to leave comments explaining why maintaining public access is important to them and to share the petition to increase public awareness of the campaign.

link here: https://www.change.org/p/petition-to-the-hon-prime-minister-gaston-browne-protect-public-access-to-jolly-harbour?utm_medium=custom_url&utm_source=share_petition&fbclid=IwRlRTSATBsahwZG9mAWZkaWQWUKcOTcebNZOy4XIob2fV0jsjbSwJTWV4dG4DYWVtAjExAHNydGMGYXBwX2lkCjY2Mjg1NjgzNzkAAR6UsNzZ-SJaivsNELn7-XeEW-hEbHLwFBpGqIwrHK5prbP3Dzz7n9sfG7PBHw_aem_tz4c6-ogWhGrdEAQwkq1ag

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3 COMMENTS

  1. The very things that our founding fathers fought to protect and defend, we are now battling to save The friction stems from the fact that while the sand itself is often legally public, the surrounding lands are increasingly sold off for massive resort or commercial developments. This effectively cuts off physical access for the local population who have used these waters for generations for leisure, fishing, and cultural heritage. We hear that buildings, resort rooms, churches, docks, and elaborate structures will soon be encroaching directly into the water reflecting a broader environmental and social anxiety that the natural beauty and sovereign spaces of the island is being steadily compromised for short-term economic gains.

  2. @Audley Phillip…

    De same tik lashing, de wild goat, ah de same, ah lash de tame.

    This is nothing new. There is a Court Case won by David Edwards and other Fisherfolk’s from Freetown who had to take the developers of Mill Reef to the Parham Court in the 1950’s to gain access to those beaches where Mill Reef Billionaires were developing.
    A fence was even erected east of the Mellon’s Property which went out into the sea, if you walked from the Half Moon Bay direction. V. C. Bird Snr, had it removed.
    Mill Reef Club or The Reef or whatever, the Billionaires call it has a Guardhouse posted at this area to stop you from even walking above the High water mark on the sand, not their lawn.
    So go figure, this fight is nothing new for the more things change, the more they remain the same.

    #BUSS_DAT.

    Jumbee_Picknee aka Ras Smood
    De’ole Dutty Peg 🦶🏿Foot
    #Garrate_Bastard

    Vere Edwards

  3. THE WAY THINGS ARE GOING WITH THE BEACHES. ONE DAY,WE WOULD ALL BE BATHING IN COUNTRY POND.WE THE PEOPLE SHOULD NOT LET ANY OF OUR BEACHES BE OFF LIMITS.APARTHEID WOULD NEVER,EVER,COME TO ANTIGUA AND BARBUDA.

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