Kadeem Golebourne
It is sad to see that this beautiful and extensive area of land with
so much potential being underutilized. Growing up in Port
Antonio, Portland, the Folly was a central point for recreation for
most of the locals.
However, over the years we have seen the recreational value of
the property decrease. For those who don’t know, the Folly
Estate is the home to Folly Oval, Folly Great House (Folly
Ruins) Folly Beach, Lighthouse, Multipurpose Court, and the
Jamaica Foundation for Long Life Learning, previously known
as JAMAL.
Throughout the 1990s the beach used to attract a lot of visitors,
before its decline.
The beach has become a shell of its former self. It is alleged that
persons have dug up the sand and taken it away for housing
construction purposes. I feel that the Government could have
done more to protect the beach.
The Folly Great House (Folly Ruins) is a 60-room mansion that
was built by American businessman Alfred Mitchell in the early
1900s. It was said that the building was used for Mitchell’s
winter home. There was no effort to maintain this structure since
the government acquired the property in 1936. In the 90s there
were areas of the premises that could have been resurrected but
since the 2000s, the building has deteriorated rapidly.
The government could have improved and maintained the structure
to turn it into a museum, art gallery, or some kind of
‘edutainment’ facility. Instead, the entire structure is now
completely in a shambles.
Folly Oval was the facility used mainly for the sport of cricket.
Over the years it has also been used by the Port Antonio Primary
school to host Sports Day. I feel that there should be some
stands erected for spectators to sit and view the
sporting activities that are taking place. Even though this
situation of standing to view sports is not limited or unique to
Folly Oval, we still believe this addition is much needed.
I strongly believe that the Portland Municipal Corporation and
the Tourist Enhancement Fund should partner to make the entire
Folly Estate look more attractive to tourists and locals alike. We
also need our green spaces to be properly maintained. What is
needed is an extensive beautification project that will improve
the recreational value making it more attractive to families and
children. Portland, in its entirety, is beautiful but what has
happened over the years is a blatant disregard and neglect for the
developmental needs of the parish.
What is great about Folly Estate is that it is still used for some
recreational activities such as fishing, football, and basketball.
Cricket and Netball are played but not regularly. What we need
are collaborations and partnerships to give the Folly Estate
renewed entertainment and recreational value.
