Perseverance Bay, the gorgeous stretch of undeveloped green space on the left as your aircraft descends into Cyril E. King Airport, is now part of the Territorial Parks System, officials said Thursday.
Using a federal grant, the Department of Planning and Natural Resources closed the $5.59 million deal to acquire the 140 acres Tuesday, said Kristina Edwards, director of the Territorial Parks and Protected Areas.
Funded entirely by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, getting the land required exactly zero local funds, Edwards said. But that didn’t mean it was easy. Edwards and others started working on the project more than two-and-a-half years ago.
“I started working on this project with Trust for Virgin Islands Lands in July 2023 when we started writing the letter of intent for the NOAA award. It’s been a journey to get this far, land acquisition with federal funds is no joke, but here we are celebrating for and with the people of the Virgin Islands,” she said.
The land was purchased from Kentucky-based agricultural firm Peters Farm LLC.
The rolling hillsides and valley are the first thing most people see when flying into St. Thomas. At night, the area disappears into a vast blackness, which is what makes it an ideal property for the park system. Unspoiled, undeveloped, it’s a hallmark that has welcomed home countless Virgin Islanders.
“When I think of Perseverance, I see the view from the plane window whenever I’m flying home. It’s a beautiful pristine hillside with one of the healthiest coral reefs on St. Thomas, and it’s always there to welcome us back home to St. Thomas. This land is so rare on our tiny rock, I’m thrilled to be able to bring it into the Territorial Park System,” Edwards said.
DPNR Commissioner Jean-Pierre L. Oriol felt the same, issuing a written statement saying acquiring the land was a key initiative that protects natural USVI heritage for future generations.
“This acquisition marks an important milestone for the Virgin Islands,” Oriol said. “It demonstrates our unwavering commitment to safeguarding the lands that shape our identity.”
Future plans for the area could include a variety of activities highlighting Virgin Islands history, culture, and ecology, Edwards said.
“Perseverance Bay offers a remarkable natural setting for hikers, explorers, students, and researchers alike. It stands as both an outdoor classroom and a vital environmental resource,” she said. “There are already trails on the property so it’s a major priority to get those mapped, assessed, and make sure they are safe for the public and for the protection of the land.”
The park system hoped to set up a management plan with robust local input soon, Edwards said.
“This is fully funded by the NOAA grant that funded the purchase of the property. This means public insight, research on the topography, history, and future of this land and how it can be used as a Territorial Park,” she said. “We look forward to continued collaboration with community partners to keep Perseverance Bay — and all protected areas across the territory — vibrant contributors to Virgin Islands history.”
