A brief introduction

It began as an ambitious dream

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.

Foundation stone laid in 2002

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.

A tribute to the Taínos

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.

A multifunction park

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 ...

20 years of perseverance for 1 challenge
Use the resources of the Park to encourage the creation of a local economic activity at the service of all by making it part of a sustainable development.

A (tiny) protected area

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.

An educational area

Conference room
Our conference room is equipped with a complete audiovisual system. It is frequented by various school groups, businesses, associations, meetings organized on the initiative of government departments, etc.
Open-air classroom
Hidden in the middle of a cluster of cacti, this original classroom can accommodate around 30 students. A secret, magical place to talk about, among other things, the preservation of the environment.
Botanical Garden
The botanical garden mainly contains varieties of cacti. It is also a small experimental garden for growing aloe vera, a plant that could help the local economy
Observation tower
Bring patience and a good pair of binoculars to observe the ballet of the different species of birds that fly over or live in the park
Our little zoo
The impressive principal occupant of our small zoo always arouses great interest.
In project: a Taínos house
The park still hopes to recreate some Taino dwellings with the materials and techniques available locally during the cacicazgos.

A recreational area

swimming and boating on the lake

Family bathing
Kayaking
Motor boat trip
The beach bar

Hiking or relaxation in nature, festive évents

Resting area
picnic area
Park trails
Festive event

Short or long term accommodation

Taínos style hut
bedroom shed
Bungalow with kitchenette
one /two bedroms house

Helping the local economy

The park is not an NGO or a government organization
It richness, is its space.

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:

  • Production in the park of an organic fertilizer using among others algae from Lake Azuei.
  • "Building with Earth": Organization of a National (or even international) exhibition on the potential of earthen construction in Haiti. Conferences, demonstration ect ...

 

Question ?  A Project ?

Contact us

We will welcome you with open arms

    Société d’Exploitation du Parc, SODEPA,SA
    Rte NLe # 8 , Tronçon Ganthier/Malpasse
    Haiti, W.I.
    (509)3608-0505
    (509)3655-8512
    (509)3750-5933
    © SODEPA 2024
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