A campaigner looking to stop Southlands Park from being commercialised and overdeveloped has presented a petition with 5,573 signatures to the minister of environment.

Nekorrah Raynor handed in the online petition, organised through www.change.org, with additional in-person signatures, on the grounds of Sessions House, in Hamilton.

It urges the Government to “immediately halt all development” within the park and to turn it into a nature reserve.

Planning applications for Southlands Park include a café and a zipline attraction, along with the modification of existing structures at the site to create a residential apartment and an office for the Mirrors Programme.

Jaché Adams, the Minister of Public Works and Environment, said he took the petition seriously and emphasised that no final decision had been made by the Government.

Raynor told the gathering, which included Diallo Rabain, the Minister of the Cabinet Office and Digital Innovation, and Kim Wilkerson, the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice: “In 2017, the Bermuda Government promised to be a people’s participatory government, stating that all petitions with a critical amount of signatures, would be given in to the legislature or given a referendum.”

Speaking to The Royal Gazette after the presentation, Raynor added: “They have allocated 1.2 per cent of the park to development, but in the zipline plans, it says it is going to extend throughout the whole park.

“While it may not be that invasive, there are going to be trucks and equipment that will have to go into the park to dig up areas and it crosses into woodland reserve areas.

“It is not without its impacts and that development would naturally disturb a lot of the wildlife and plant life in the park.”

Raynor said some minor improvements could be supported, but not a “complete overhaul or commercialising the area”.

“I and others against the development do support working with the existing infrastructure and developing on the brownfield sites.

“The buildings that are inside the park either need to be taken down or they need to be refurbished so they are safe. The park also needs bathrooms.”

Mr Adams said he was “excited and encouraged” to see individuals exercising their right to express themselves.

Mr Adams said: “We as a government understand the strong passion and feelings that people have in regards to Southlands. We are committed to following the process and no final decision has been made.

“The Government submitted a proposal which was subject to feedback from the public. That feedback has been received and will be collated.

“We will submit that to the Parks Commission, which will then review and discuss the feedback, and will ultimately make their recommendations.

“I will then take those recommendations, along with the feedback that was received from other stakeholders, and ultimately look to make a decision.

“As minister, I want to emphasise that my role is to ensure that the decisions we make are a reflection of all voices including those that have participated in the petition.”

Raynor added: “I hope that the minister’s words reflect that actual state of affairs.”

The petition, describes the site, affectionately known as “The Green Lung of Bermuda”, as a “sanctuary of biodiversity and natural beauty, offering refuge to Bermuda’s wildlife and a tranquil escape for both residents and visitors”.

It adds: “The ongoing expansion has already led to significant habitat loss, endangering native and endemic species that rely on this ecosystem to survive.

“It has also introduced safety risks for beachgoers, woodland cyclists and hikers who frequent the area.

“If development continues, it will further degrade nesting grounds for longtails, accelerate coastal erosion and destabilise cliffs already known for their dangerous undercuts.”

Raynor has also organised a rally in support of protections for Southlands, which is scheduled to take place between 8am and 2pm on Saturday, when it is hoped more dialogue about plans for the estate will be encouraged.

The online consultation was launched last month and closed on August 19.

The Ministry of Public Works and Environment had invited public feedback on the Southlands Park Draft Management Plan 2025 saying: “The proposed plan outlines a phased strategy for the restoration, enhancement and long-term care of Southlands Park in Warwick Parish.

“This includes maintaining the site’s natural woodland character, improving trails and amenities, managing invasive species and repurposing select buildings for public benefit.

“It also seeks to support educational, recreational and community-focused uses in a way that balances access and conservation.

“The ministry is committed to careful stewardship of Southlands and is inviting residents to help shape the future of this important public space.”

With the acquisition of the Southlands property in the wake of a the land swap with Morgan’s Point in 2012, the Government acquired the 37-acre estate comprising beach front, quarry gardens, fountains, residences, gardens, agricultural fields, woodlands and rare tree collections.

Southlands is protected under the Bermuda National Parks Act 1986 as a Class B Amenity Park protected area.

The petition calls for it to be reclassified as Class A, giving it full environmental protection as a nature reserve.