The first park to be completed under the Community Areas Programme (CAP) was officially opened on Saturday along St. Monica?s Road.

The William F. Wilson Park in the North Village ? the first of two parks under the CAP initiative for the area ? was opened by Environment Minister Neletha Butterfield and Premier Alex Scott.

While the Ministry of the Environment provided technical support and funding, residents, like Joy Wilson-Tucker, grand-daughter of William F. Wilson, agreed to undertake the project and the North Village Advisory Trust was formed.

Thanks to the hard work of local residents, the park slowly grew out of the dirt and rubbish of an area which had once been considered a garbage dumping site.

Mrs. Butterfield thanked residents for their hard work, adding that the CAP programme involved partnerships with communities across the Island to realise environmental improvements particularly in high density neighbourhoods like the North Village.

?Residents have spent hundreds of hours of their free time in making this dream come true,? she said. Mrs. Butterfield described William F. Wilson as a true ?son of the neighbourhood? who gave unselfishly of his time, talents and energies to the St. Monica?s Church for 44 years and was also the founder of the North Village Band.

Members of the North Village Band marched from the church to the park at the start of the function on Saturday and were followed by local children who could hardly wait for the ceremonial ribbon-cutting before playing on the swings and slide in the park.

Meanwhile, Mrs. Wilson-Tucker thanked the community for their hard work and, surrounded by the extended Wilson family, handed a cheque to the President of the North Village Trust, Major Kenneth Dill, to cover the costs of the special bronze plaque commemorating her grand-father. The money had been raised by family members. Mrs. Butterfield said the park had brought about a sense of pride and unity in the community.

?Perhaps the most immediate impact of this project on the residents of the area is the improvement in the quality of life here,? she said.

The sentiment was repeated by the Premier, who encouraged residents to take care of the park and ensure that it remained in the state it was at the opening.

?This is your park and your parish. Take pride in it,? he said.

The board near the entrance of the park, which bears the name of the park and date on which it was opened, was donated by the Corporation of Hamilton and Mayor Lawson Mapp.