Nature Park celebrates five years

FIVE years ago Port Moresby Nature Park opened its gates to the public and transformed recreational activities for the people of Port Moresby.
The park was the vision of the National Capital District Commission board which decided back in 2010 to turn the National Capital Botanical Gardens into something better for the city.
Following the introduction of a new management team with many years of international experience operating similar attractions overseas, NCDC launched Port Moresby Nature Park on June 16, 2012.
The park is a registered charity which receives its funding from NCDC, corporate sponsorships and gate-takings.  Its vision is to make the park PNG’s premier recreational attraction and to inspire people to embrace and protect the country’s unique natural environment.
The recreational area is operated under an independent board nominated by NCDC and Port Moresby Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
Since it opened its gates, the Port Moresby Nature Park has been a great success story and has been praised for its strong public-private sector collaboration, strong experienced leadership and well thought-out business and master-planning models.
The park has over 300 animals in its collection and manages a number of conservation, breeding and research programmes.
In addition, it has stayed true to its foundation with spectacular gardens of hundreds of plant species like orchids.
It also has many cultural pieces from across the country, celebrating the diversity of cultures across PNG and the important connections those cultures have with our natural environment.
It is the only internationally endorsed zoological facility in PNG, and it has membership with the Zoo and Aquarium Association of Australasia and the Australasian Society of Zoo Keeping.
It has also won international awards for its work in animal welfare management.
The growth and success of Nature Park can be measured by the growth in visitor numbers, from 85,000 in 2012 to a projected 130,000 by the end of this year.
Today, it is almost unrecognisable from the old botanical gardens with a number of major developments taking place, including a cafe and souvenir shop, a nature playground, new and refurbished animal exhibits, new pathways, public amenities and new picnic areas.
Its school excursion programme has seen more than 60,000 students and continues to run World Wildlife Week, World Environment Week, Pasin Tumbuna Week and Creepy Critter Week.
During the staff and board birthday celebration, general manager Michelle McGeorge said that the park’s success was due to the passion and commitment of the staff and that they should be proud of the legacy that they were building for future generations.
She thanked NCD Governor Powes Parkop for the vision that led to the park’s creation, and thanked the NCDC management, the business community and visitors for the support and sponsorship.
McGeorge noted the special contributions of major partner Exxon Mobil and Australian Volunteers International as well as Gold Sponsors Red Sea Housing, Pacific MMI, ECM, and Digicel PNG.
Planned future developments include a reptile house, bird of paradise precinct and a new main picnic area. The projects are waiting for sponsorship support to finally get off the ground.  McGeorge said they were discussing funding support with some organisations.
The park’s annual membership programme was launched in February of this year which provides members with a number of benefits including unlimited entry for the year year, discounts on venue hire and souvenirs, special offers at the park’s cafe and offers to special events.
The park opens every day from 8am to 4:30pm.