Emancipation Park is a picturesque place to relax and see some of the Caribbean’s varied plant life. Enjoy the smells and colours of bougainvillea, orchids and roses while you walk or jog through the park. Take a day to explore, bring a picnic and enjoy shady spaces among the lawns, water features and sculptures that decorate the park.
Before it was constructed in 2002, Emancipation Park was a disused patch of land known by locals as the dustbowl. Today, this 3-hectare (7-acre) parkland serves as a green refuge used by Kingston locals to get away from the noise of the city.
As you enter the park, admire the 3-metre (11-foot) Redemption Song statue. This bronze work, sculpted by award-winning artist Laura Facey, depicts a male and female nude with the words of Marcus Garvey inscribed underneath: “None but ourselves can free our mind”. Elsewhere in the park, statues known as Adinkras represent African symbols that remind Jamaicans of their roots. Spot a two-headed crocodile, a fence symbolising love and the seed of an African wafa tree.
Wander the park’s flower garden and look for Jamaica’s national flower, the lignum vitae, alongside the blue mahoe, a national tree. Take in the scents of five different rose displays. Bougainvillea and orchid species are among the many plants that produce colourful blooms throughout the year. This ever-vibrant garden is often likened to the independent spirit and joy of Jamaica’s emancipation.
Take to the park’s 500-metre (1,640.4-foot) running track for some exercise. Alternatively, enjoy a picnic among the royal palms and fountains. Public music performances are often held on the park’s stage.
Walk or catch a taxi to Emancipation Park in central Kingston. It is located on the corner of Knutsford Boulevard and Oxford Road. There is no fee to enter.
