Garrison Savannah — Attraction in Barbados

The Garrison Savannah is an oasis in a country that is slowly becoming urbanized. Besides the colorful and enjoyable spectacle of horse-racing, it offers considerable scope for exercising for those who feel confined and uncomfortable in gyms. With the galloping rate of non-communicable diseases unlikely to be slowed any time soon, regular exercise is the best weapon against obesity, diabetes, hypertension and stress. Nothing is simpler, safer and as inexpensive as walking. Unfortunately, the managers of the Garrison have not taken sufficient measures to enable this wholesome activity in any substantial way. Steps that may help are: *Provide lighting till about 8 pm so that persons can walk after a long day at work or even take a cool stroll after supper *Provide basic toilet facilities so that the elderly do not have to rush home if a sudden need arises *For the more adventurous, exercise accessories (like pull up bars, stepups) can be installed in the outer grassy area (similar to those at Garfield Sobers Gymnasium) without adversely affecting aesthetics *Level out and cover with marl the flood-prone parking area alongside the road *Persuade government to provide police security as is done at the Boardwalk *Prohibit cars from driving on the paved walkway Much-publicized, random "Walks against NCDs" are good for raising awareness, but regular exercise is a vital part of the solution to this...

I was born and still live near the Garrison Savannah and have many childhood memories of Horseracing in the late sixties into the middle seventies. I wonder if people remember that Polo was first played on the Garrison Savannah, and there was also goat racing with most of the goats and runners from the district of Brittons Hill. Also at the Garrison there was lots of cricket matches. There was also two exercise tracks for the horses, dirt and sand. During the week of the races the horses would go through their final paces doing box to box on the actual race track. In the early days there were no starting gates, there was a flying start with strands. Kadooment had it's ending from Bridgetown with the burning of Mr.Harding at this very historic place called the...

A world Heritage Site, it was the blue print for all other military garrisons during Great Britain reign in the colonial era. It is still part of the ancestral home to the Barbados Defence Force. The buildings are well maintain and the National Armory is worth the visit as it has an extensive cannon collection. A rare 1600 Elizabethan cannon is housed there it is the only kind in the world. There is also the changing of the guard ceremony conducted on Wednesdays, the military personnel are fully decked out in the colonial uniform of the West India Regiment, today that very colorful uniform is officially use by the Barbados Defence Force Band. The history of the area is rich and guided tours...