Queen's Park is the official name of what we know as the Queen's Park Savannah or popularly referred to as "The Savannah".
The Queen's park Savannah is the largest open space in the city of Port-of-Spain. It is situated at he northern end of the city.
The Savannah extends over 80 hectares of land that was formerly sugar estate.
This estate, called paradise Estate, belonged to the Peshier family, but in 1817 the Cabildos bought it for over £6000.
The Peshier family kept a small plot as a burial ground for their family. Today, one still sees the small cemetery.
In the early days slaves were allowed to live on the land, on which they grew a small garden.
After emancipation, the public was given permission to graze cattle on the land.
For many years, the only use to which the estate was devoted was the pasturage of cattle.
Later, Queen's park was laid out and the land for the pitch walk was added to the entire circumference.
Besides being an open playground for local as well as inter-colonial cricket, horse-racing, polo, football, hockey and other sports, the Savannah provided the residents with their first golf course, and the game was played with cows browsing at will.
Today, the youth and even adults go the Savannah to fly kites, play cricket, football, to jog, run or train for sporting events or marathon races.
The Savannah if the world's largest roundabout, because of the one-way traffic around it. But, although there is one road around the Savannah, it has four different names, viz.:
Circular Road, to the north in the vicinity of the Zoo, Botanical Gardens and President's House.
Queen's Park East to the east in the vicinity of the Hilton Hotel and beyond.
Queen's Park West in the vicinity of the Memorial Park, Knowsley Building and the American Embassy.
Maraval Road, in the vicinity of the "Magnificent Seven buildings, viz.: Queen's Royal College, Hayes Court - the Anglican Bishop's home, Mille Fleur, Roomor, the Roman Catholic Archbishop's house, White Hall, and Killarney - Stollmeyer's Castle.
There are tall shady trees all around the Savannah and benches where one can sit and enjoy this open space.
Most of the Savannah is flat, except for the north Western corner where the land dips into a hollow space.
This spot is called the Rock Gardens or simply "The Hollows" - a perfect place for picnicking.
Coconut vendors, boiled corn vendors and even pholourie vendors are seen around The Savannah.
Today, horse racing no longer takes place in the Queen's Park Savannah, but it is still the centre for our rich cultural heritage - Carnival, Best Village competitions, and Independence Day parades.
It is right that we should know and remember that the first recreation ground in the West Indies was provided by the wonderful foresight of Sir Ralph Woodford.
He was our first Civil Governor. It was he who procured the site of this Grand Park for the people of Trinidad and Tobago - a great provision for healthy exercise and amusement in the nation.
Important dates/events to remember:
1817 - The Cabildo bought paradise Estate from the Peschier Family.
1828 - Horse races were held in the Queen's Park.
1834 - The 5th Regiment encamped in the Savannah during an outbreak of fever at the Garrison Headquarters at St. James Barracks.
1854 - The Grandstand was erected and horse races were held annually.
1887 - A pavilion built in Moorish style was erected.
1896 - The last cricket match was played in the Savannah when the club was moved to the oval. The pavilion was probably demolished at that time.
1902 - The first aeroplane flight took place in the Savannah when pilot Frank Boland crashed and was killed.
___________________________________________________________
TOP