On a day of music that included a performance by Bermuda's international recording artist Heather Nova, it was an eight-year-old schoolgirl who went on stage but neither sang nor played an instrument who summed up what Saturday's Picnic in the Park event was all about.

Hundreds of people from across Bermuda's communities mingled and relaxed at Astwood Park on South Shore, enjoying spectacular sea views, sunshine and a diverse range of music from Island performers.

But it was Kayla Travers, eight, who delivered the most poignant message when she joined Bermuda Environmental and Sustainability Taskforce's Stuart Hayward on stage and read a short letter she had written to explain a 500-signature petition to save Southlands from development, signed by other children, that she had gathered.

"My school would not allow me to bring the petition in to school, so I worked hard to obtain these signatures where ever I could," she told Mr. Hayward and the audience.

"When I spoke to kids they were all concerned about our green spaces and wanted to help protect Bermuda. Just because we can't vote doesn't mean that our voices shouldn't be heard as well. I wish the Government would stop playing around with our futures, after all we are Bermuda's future.

"After all our land is destroyed we can never get it back and it will be way too late for our voices to make a difference. So, please Mr. Hayward, will you help us kids save Bermuda?"

Kayla was applauded and, as she left the stage, told The Royal Gazette that it had taken about a month to collect the signatures.

Her school did not want to be caught up in any political row so it asked her not to collect signatures at school.

Kayla, accompanied by her mother Karen, said she used her own time to gather support from youngsters who want to see the 37 acres of wilderness at Southlands preserved rather than built on to create a hotel, as is currently planned.

Mr. Hayward, who accepted the petition, said: "It is extremely encouraging when we talk about saving open spaces for the future to see children, for whom we are doing this, wanting to get involved.

"It is inspiring and encouraging and reminds us adults that we should really kick in and help. To have a youngster lead the way like this does a lot for this particular cause."

The concert and picnic to promote the work of BEST and the importance of preserving open spaces was hailed a success by Mr. Hayward, who also briefly performed, providing recorder accompaniment to Heather Nova.

He said: "People really appreciate the parklands. They have come to share the park, listen to good music and enjoy some food.

"But we take much of our open spaces for granted. Bermuda does not have enough protected open space and most of what we have is just an application away from being developed."

As well as Heather Nova, Picnic in the Park featured musical performances by Val Sherwood, Jackie Ayers and her band, Undread, Flookie, an acoustic Olybhosh, Ras Georgis and Joy Barnum.