Minister of Works and Engineering, C.V. (Jim) Woolridge, yesterday unveiled plans for the greening of the Pembroke Dump.

Phase One of the Pembroke Marsh Park plan, scheduled to commence this month, will see about one third of the 25-acre site transformed into a residential playground -- complete with linear-lake system, outdoor amphitheatre, soccer and cricket field, basketball courts, and an extensive playground for children.

Backed by a budget of $500,000, the first phase is expected to be completed by the fall of 1998. Conversion of the remaining dump site -- principally its mountain of garbage -- remains about six years off, Mr. Woolridge said.

While hopeful that all Bermudians would share in the excitement of the new park, the Minister paid special tribute to those "back of town'' residents who, for decades, have endured the fires, smells, and visual pollution of the landfill. "This is in celebration for all those people who put up with so much,'' he said.

Phase One of the overall plan will see the development of the southern section of the landfill, in an area bounded by Parson's Road to the south and Glebe Road to the east.

The plan calls for: Shifting Parson's Road about 15-feet to the north to accommodate sidewalks, and improving visibility and access to the intersection at Glebe and Parson's Road; Creating a larger playground with new and improved equipment (similar to that already installed at Warwick Long Bay, Mullet Bay, and Shelly Bay), and using Park Rangers to provide supervision; Installing barrier-free sidewalks for the elderly and persons with disabilities; Erecting shaded areas, including a gazebo, adjacent to the playground so that residents of the Pembroke Rest Home -- among others -- can watch and interact with children; Enlarging and raising Glebe Field approximately three feet and improving drainage to create better surface for informal sports and other activities; Widening and dredging the Pembroke canal to create a linear lake system to provide a better habitat for wetland birds and plants; Installing footbridges to provide public access from North Parson's Road to Glebe Field and Pembroke Marsh; Creating a separate grassed, open area for passive sports and recreation; Installing a new basketball court; Removing dense vegetation from roadways to discourage illegal dumping and; Retaining endemic and Washingtonia palms, as well planting new fruit trees.

Solid Waste Manager Allan Hunt, together with Director of Parks Bill Cook, Landscape Architect Roger Steffens, and Park Planner Ann Boykn-Smith, outlined the Ministry's phased approach, which allows time for vegetation and grass to take root and for the proper venting of trapped gases within the landfill itself.

Hopefully in the next five or six years the remaining landfill will be incorporated into an already existing nature reserve and will be accessible by trails. "But that depends on the releases of methane gases,'' said Mr. Hunt.

Meanwhile plans for the Ministry's composting facility and the area of the marsh bounded by Marsh Folly Road have not yet been finalised, but whatever happens said Mr. Woolridge, the whole area will be cleaned up.

PHASE ONE -- Plans for the first phase of the Pembroke Marsh Park, in an area bounded by Parson's Road and Glebe Road. The plan calls for a linear lake system, playground, and sports field.