Lyssons Beach in decay

Once a picturesque haven for relaxation and water activities, Lyssons Beach now stands in stark contrast to its former glory. Located in eastern St Thomas, the beach has fallen into disrepair, with dilapidated facilities and scattered garbage marring its beauty.

When this newspaper visited the public beach last week, Sylvia Parker and Dawn Campbell were seen sweeping mounds of garbage from inside of the gazebos. The women, both residing in the parish, said they are saddened by the state of the facility.

"When we come in the morning, we bring our own brooms and sweep the gazebo out and make ourselves as comfortable we can. Every now and again we would bring bags and rake up the rubbish and take it up to the top," Parker said.

The beach received a $49-million upgrade as part of the Tourism Enhancement Fund's National Beach Development Programme in 2018. The facility was fenced, bathroom facilities and wash stations installed, and five gazebos were built, making it a good option for chilling or for playing games.

"They use to have people that maintain it, but now the infrastructure is all broken down and no repairs are being done," said Parker.

Her friend, Campbell, said she can easily recalled when there were barbecue grills, tables, benches and lifeguards on the shores, but this is becoming a distant memory. Broken facets, missing doors, and stolen amenities bear witness to a beach that has been left to wither away, robbed of its vitality by the hands of petty thieves and indifference.

"It is really sad that a beach as beautiful as this is allowed to go into such disrepair. On a day like this when the sea is calm, anyone should be able to come here and go into the water and get the therapeutic benefit of it; but when you look around, no one would want to visit. The place is in shambles," Campbell said.

Melva Burrell, a visitor from the United Kingdom, speaks of her disappointment upon encountering the tarnished beauty of Lyssons Beach.

"It is a lovely beach, but it is very dirty. I thought I was at the wrong place when I got here, because every time I visit Jamaica this is where I would come, but today I was taken aback by its appearance. It was nothing like this," Burrell said.