CUL DE SAC--Rain Forest Adventures is working with the Ministry of Public Housing, Spatial Planning, Environment and Infrastructure VROMI to determine the best solution for the entrance to Plantation Industry and Golden Rock where a zip line and chairlift park is slated to be located.
The solution must minimize the effect of busses and mitigate existing traffic problems as much as possible, Rain Forest Chief Engineer John Dalton told The Daily Herald.
Financing of the project has been approved and due diligence is in process. Ground breaking date is dependent on completion of due diligence and receipt of the first disbursement from investors.
Rain Forest Adventure’s expert in rock excavation and tramway foundation construction was in the country last week for inspection and planning of the work at the top of Sentry Hill. Tadzio Bervoets of Nature Foundation joined the Rain Forest team for the hike to top of the highest point on the Dutch side of the island to discuss plans and construction procedures.
Dalton said the evacuation trail will be the first thing to be constructed on the hill and used for access to the top. No explosives will be used and steel mesh will be installed to protect against rock fall during excavation and construction.
With the exception of the helicopter, no heavy equipment will be used on the hill.
Rain Forest Adventures, the holder of the government long lease to the joint plantation shared its plans for the area commonly called Emilio Wilson Estate with members of the heritage, culture and environmental groups as well as other stakeholders in early June.
Dalton had said after that meeting Rainforest Adventures as a newcomer to the country needed the guidance and support of all stakeholders to tell the cultural and natural history story of St. Maarten.
The company has committed to create the "Rocklands Estate Foundation" upon the opening of the zip line and chairlift park. This foundation will be funded by US $1 from each non-resident park ticket sold. Funds will be used for an indigenous reforestation and crop planting programme, ongoing maintenance and upgrade of the Emilio Wilson Park, school participation and senior citizen visitation programmes.
