Parc Naturel Quisqueya
With its surface area of 134 hectares, Quisqueya Natural Park does not compete with the magnificent National Parks of Haiti. The park is indeed a space where nature is protected and enhanced for the enjoyment of visitors, but the creators dreamed of a greater ambition than the preservation of a few hectares of vegetation: to create a tool to provoke new behaviors, educate or even train young people to preserve the environment and stimulate the creation of local eco-tourism activities.
At that time, placing a symbolic stone in the middle of nature was considered an unnecessary action for a utopia without a future. Little by little, the Fonds-Parisien population understood what role the park could play in the environment. Over the years, the park has become an important heritage resource for the town of Ganthier and in particular the city of Fond-Parisien.
The layout of the park is inspired by the history of Quisqueya Island, which brings together Haiti
and the Dominican Republic. When Christopher Columbus arrived in 1492, the island was inhabited by the Taínos,
a peaceful, pacifist and hospitable people, living in harmony with nature.
This people and its culture did not survive the conquistadors.
The park is divided into five large spaces representing the five cacicazgo, corresponding to the five
administrative and political divisions of the island before the arrival of Europeans: Magua, Marien, Maguana,
Xaragua and Higuey.
From 2002 to today, the Quisqueya de Fond-Parisien natural park has come a long way in patiently strengthening three features that characterize it: a protected area, an education area, and a recreational area. It has hosted local and international exhibitions, organized shows, and can host events of over 5,000 people.
It is visited by thousands of young and old, NGOs, schools, universities, public and private institutions, religious groups, etc ...
The park is located 35 km from Port au Prince, in a microclimate strongly influenced by the presence of Lake Azuei and the east-west depression separating Quisqueya Island into two distinct parts. This region is arid and has a rainfall that varies between 600 and 900 mm of water per year. This microclimate allows the existence of a biodiversity that hides extraordinary flora and fauna and a unique panorama.
The park, which covers only 1.3 km², however, protects an incredibly special vegetation composed of cacti and hard grasses growing on a rocky base. The paleoreliefs forming the park and its surroundings, the contrasts of colors and vegetation make this place a favorite place for environmental education, ecotourism, and the establishment of eco-tourist villages.
A small, protected park to discover different landscapes by traversing the paths arranged for the greatest pleasure of walkers in love with nature.
The park runs along Lake Quisqueya for more than a kilometer, allowing the walker to cool off on the hottest days.
Cacti are unfortunately untapped resources in Haiti. Making these plants better known could create jobs in disadvantaged regions. The hot and dry climate of this arid zone is however suitable for beautiful varieties of floral plants, ..
The hot and dry climate of this arid zone is however suitable for beautiful varieties of floral plants, ..
... which dot the park with splashes of color in harmony with the natural tones of the park ...
... to the delight of the bees in our hives.
Our scarce resources come from the management of the park and some donors support. They are reserved for the maintenance of the site and do not allow the financing of external projects.
The park is before all a place to meet, to exchange ideas, to expose, demonstrate.
We help by letting local producers promote and sell their products at trade shows or, by example, allowing a young entrepreneur to settle by the lake to develop his fish farming activity. (see A fish farming project in the Parc )
The park works with several partners to publicize and disseminate the advantages and techniques of environmental preservation and sustainable development.
In addition to the various partnerships, the park recently initiated two new actions: