Oct. 21, 2007 — Mon Bijou Park lived up to the English translation of its name as a "jewel" for community life on Sunday. The cleaned-up park and bright sunshine made it a shining jewel of which to be proud.
More than 200 residents celebrated the Second Annual Fun Day at the park at the north end of the community bordering on Frangipani and Glynn neighborhoods. The six-acre park, which is being landscaped and cleaned by community volunteers with some help from the government, offered a shining welcome to residents of the community and its neighbors.
"Everything is falling into place with the park and community center," said Sharisse Bascomb, one of the organizers and board member of the Mon Bijou Homeowners Association.
Youngsters in particular were given the chance to enjoy the sunshine and park facilities as they played volleyball, basketball, baseball and bounced in a giant blow-up castle. There was reggae and soca, local drinks and vegetarian food for sale for the adults.
The basketball courts even had more zip as organizer Craig "Cie" Lloyd donated new nets for the hoops. He said that organizers had donated many of the items that made the day possible. Young players who looked possibly as smooth as the young Tim Duncan made their cuts and drives on the court to shoot their baskets.
At the same time other youngsters were receiving instructions on how to set up a volleyball so a teammate could spike it. All around, adults could be seen helping the youngsters with games such as an egg and spoon race, sack races, musical chairs, foot races, and horse races using inflatable bouncing horses.
Bascomb said she was pleased there were a lot more volunteers than the first year.
Local celebrities were on hand for the volleyball and basketball competition. Popular local reggae singer Mada Nile was playing in a volleyball game with Sen. Juan Figueroa-Serville. "I love being here interacting with the children," Nile said. "This is a blessing and inspiration."
Figueroa-Serville, in basketball shorts and sneakers, was psyched and ready to play.
"I'm hoping they will be merciful on me," Figueroa-Serville said. "I enjoy taking part in youth activities, because that's where my heart is." The celebrity basketball began about 7 p.m. with Sens. Terrence "Positive" Nelson, Ronald Russell and Neville James and Rashidi Clenance among the celebrities playing.
To fund things such as upkeep, intramural basketball and lights on the court, the association has car washes at the community center every Sunday. The association also holds bake sales and movie nights to raise funds.
The organizers would like to see more intramural basketball games with other communities, and a girls volleyball team.
"As time goes on we'll challenge other communities to do this," Lloyd said.
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