Hope Botanical Gardens — Attraction in undefined

A day out with the kids to commemorate a week filled with activities for my birthday munchkin. Went to Hope Zoo and ended up by Funland. The experience was merely ok and this was because the kids for the most part had a good time with the exception that it rained heavily. One anticipated ride did not work so well and it was observed where the older kids found some rides monotonous. What all enjoyed however was the slide with the zip line. That was really good! I on the other hand wasnt very pleased with a few occurences. Firstly it costs adults $600 to enter and $400 for kids older than 2 years old. This entry fee is separate from the cost to go on rides and food attracts an additional cost. My question to the person manning the gate was what does an adult get for paying to enter when the park is for kids and clearly he/she wont be getting on any rides. Nothing. Also due to the heavy rainfall most of the tickets for rides purchased were not used and upon querying the matter I was informed in the least professional way that there was no refund. It took some deliberation for consideration to be given to have the tickets approved for use another time we visit. Recommendations for improvement would be to have a complimentary drink and/or snack for the adult who pays to enter only to accompany his/her child , as well as a decent area to sit where in the event of rainfall no one gets wet. Also some form of entertainment while the adult waits would be good perhaps a movie projected or a live band...something. The idea is to give the adult customer an option to make him or her feel as though the $600.00 entry fee was well spent. There could also be a clown or reading section, a place where if a child who payed to enter opts not to go on rides he/she would still have something to do. Shout out to the staff who enabled a fun experience for the children- guys at the video arcade and...

The overall event was a wonderful and great experience for the kids! However, the organizers of the event really need to work on their organization and planning skills... SERIOUSLY! There were very little waste baskets/bins or bags for trash disposal, the place was flooded with trash, there was no screening for weapons and there was very very limited Police presence throughout the event. There was also wide-spread price gouging happening. There's a reason why it's against the law. There were no signs on the rides; they were just there. No exit signs, either. Not to mention, the people in charge of the lines were allowing those without tickets to board the rides, because they were "louding them up" or maybe their friend. Which is unfair to those of us who waited for sometimes up to two hours. For instance, the ride conductor and the two helpers all took a break at the same time leaving 62 patrons waiting for over two hours. When they returned, they then allowed people that were never in line to board the Ferris Wheel without tickets. I gave it 3 star because it was a great idea and a wonderful event for the children and the families of Jamaica! If the government want to invest in something, why not invest in something that brings us ALL together as one. Because, the last time I checked, out of many, ONE PEOPLE and I believe we have lost sight of that. Invest in your people and your people shall invest in you. Look at what happened with 3 star planning? Hopefully, you'll go again and get it right the next time...fingers x. Thanks for the good, bad and great memories, guys! The kids...

Fond memories flock my mind as I walk through one of the only planned green spaces in Kingston. I came here as a child with my parents, wondered at the swans, fell in the pond, lost myself in the maze, raced with my sister across the open swathes of green, green grass. So thankful it's there with the ancient trees holding their towering stories above our heads. Yes, there could be more, an herbal garden would be so lovely, scents and healing lore and all, but we are the Ones ... For now, I am grateful for this rare oasis in a Kingston that seems to tumble over itself in a wild, exhausting, and crushing haste and which seems determined to embrace the cult of concrete. Nearby is the tastefully laid out Zoo with reticent animals that, at least, can relax into the natural space around them. There are petting and food areas (separate from each other😅) very pink flamingos and monkeys with their little babes clinging for dear life. Fun for the...