Since the dedication and renaming ceremony of Boggy Peak to Mount Obama in August 2009, members of the Mount Obama Committee (MOC) have been engaged in the planning and related activities needed to establish and manage the Mount Obama National Park. Such efforts include an official website antiguamountobama.com. The site which was launched last week is aimed at sensitising the public to some of the preparations being made to transform Antigua & Barbuda’s highest point to a multi-use world class protected area of excellence. It is the intention of the MOC to operate a financially self-sufficient venture which will be able to maintain the ecosystems, biological services and historical heritage of the area while achieving a range of specific environmental, social and economic objectives agreed upon by key stakeholders through consultations.
The nature oriented website features information about the peak, agriculture and heritage, activities, news, photos, visitors’ comments, a map and contact information. Although not fully functional, the MOC expects that it will be possible to plan and execute the official opening ceremony for the park in October 2010. The MOC hopes to submit a conceptual plan to Cabinet by mid-September that will outline the boundaries and various use zones of the park, proposed administrative and visitor facilities at the Cades Bay and Christian Valley entrances, trails to be developed, and potential areas for picnicking, camping, and eco-tourism facilities. Meanwhile a logo competition was held to select an official logo for all businesses associated with the national parks. Eight individuals submitted a total of 12 entries.
“In keeping with the anniversary of the Mount Obama National Park, for this year’s celebration, the MOC decided to develop an official logo that will be used officially for the national park,” Chairperson of the website and logo committees, Carol-Faye George said yesterday.
Graphic artist Deri Benjamin’s submission copped top honours. The design features a mountain in the centre, with rays of sunshine in the distance. The peak is accentuated with a banner of the colours of the Antigua & Barbuda flag and wording “Mount Obama National Park” at the bottom of the peak.