An abandoned lot once filled with litter and overgrown trees will be transformed over the next several months into a grassy neighbourhood park for St. Monica?s Road residents to enjoy.

North Village Community leaders and the Ministry of the Environment have teamed up to create the new park.

This area re-development is the first phase of an an Island-wide programme from the Ministry of the Environment called the Community Areas Programme.

Neighbourhood residents gathered yesterday with members of Government, including Environment Minister Neletha Butterfield, MP Wayne Perinchief and Canon Nesbitt of St. Monica?s church, on the park site which was acquired by Government in October.

?A couple of weeks ago, this site here on St. Monica?s Road, was overgrown and knee deep in litter, trash, bottles, and bike parts,? said Ms Butterfield yesterday. ?Thanks to the Ministry of Works & Engineering and Housing, the site has been cleared, surveyed and deposited with material to produce the levels needed to create the new park.?

The park will have an open design and will be named after the first preacher of the St. Monica?s Church ? William Wilson.

The park was designed by Souhaila Sarkis of Linberg & Simmons Architecture in consultation with the North Village Community Trust and local residents. It is scheduled for completion in late December.

Government and area residents are also hoping that the park will be expanded in the near future to include an abandoned lot of land on which three derelict houses currently stand.

Although homeowners have have resisted encroachment of the park on their land, Ms. Butterfield said once they see the positive benefits of the park she hopes they will come around.

?The work here on St. Monica?s Park is a small beginning but a significant beginning,? she said. ?It is significant for the St. Monica?s Community and significant as an illustration of Government?s commitment to the Social Agenda and the Community Areas programme.?

The North Village Trust, led by Major Kenneth Dill are making plans for Pig?s Field which Mr. Dill said will include a multipurpose park and recreation centre.

Plans to revitalise the area also include the rebuilding of the North Village Band Room and setting up a computer centre for neighbourhood children in the St. Monica?s Church.

MPs Wayne Perinchief, Nelson Bascome and Ottiwell Simmons were all involved in planning the development of these areas, said Ms. Butterfield.

The Ministry of the Environment is also inviting other areas to apply for redevelopment under the Community Areas Programme.

Communities are invited to put through an application and a strong case as to why their area should be revamped.

?We hope the process will show which communities are well-organised, committed and ready to work with the Community Areas Committee,? said Ms. Butterfield.

Forms for this application are available by calling 297-7590 or online at btavaresgov.bm. The closing date is December 10, 2004.