Best Kept Yard And Settlement Competitions

Some twelve years ago the Ministry saw our communities becoming more dilapidated and unattractive, we thought that if we created an awareness of these negative aspects, and recognize residents who assist with solving these concerns, perhaps one day we will have green and nice looking communities. Hence, the Best Kept Yard and the Best Kept Settlement programme began. We divided communities in four districts (East, South, Eight Mile Rock and West), the top Best Kept Yards were selected in each district, with a total of twelve winners (first, second and third winners in each district). Members of our local Garden Club judge these yards.

The first year, some forty home owners participated and the amount of participants grew progressively. Last year some 200 persons entered; we saw cleaner communities, especially in the south (Pinder’s Point to Mack Town), Holmes Rock in the West and Pelican Point in the East. Yards are more colorful, greener and organized.

This programme is growing and we expect a 50% increase in this year’s participation.

Renamae Symonette, community tourism manager stated that with the promotion of visitors to the communities, it is important that each resident in the west and the east to make certain that their surroundings are kept clean and attractive. Ms. Symonette believes that if each resident keeps their yard clean, we will have cleaner communities, and a cleaner grand bahama island that we all can be proud of.

Ms. Symonette encourages all residents from the east, the south, eight mile rock and the west to take part in this year’s best kept yard. Also, local government practitioners are invited to get their settlements ready to win the best kept settlement of the year.

Registration forms are available at your nearest local government office and The Ministry of Tourism.