Trust warns of "major threat" to beloved Grand Cayman park
The National Trust for the Cayman Islands has filed a formal objection to a proposed housing development that would border one of Grand Cayman's most popular natural attractions — the Queen Elizabeth II Botanic Park.
The proposal, identified as Project P26-0460, calls for a 204-lot subdivision on Block 59A, Parcel 386, land that lies directly against the eastern boundary of the Park. In a letter to the Director of Planning, the Trust described the plan as "a major threat" to the Park's environmental, cultural and tourism importance.
A key tourism and economic driver
The Park welcomed approximately 41,000 paid visitors in 2025-26, a figure that does not include school groups, church groups and summer camps. According to the Trust, roughly 73 percent of those visitors were stay-over tourists — representing about 6 percent of all stay-over arrivals in the Islands. The Park also maintains one of the highest ratings on Google Maps, at 4.7 out of 5, and provides spillover business to restaurants and other attractions in the Eastern districts.
Concern for the Blue Iguana
The Trust's most significant concern is the Grand Cayman Blue Iguana, a species native only to Grand Cayman and found nowhere else in the world. Executive Director Frank Roulstone said a residential subdivision — without sufficient natural buffers and protections — could create "real and significant dangers" to the iguanas and other native species. He pointed to threats from careless pet owners allowing dogs and cats to roam freely, vehicles, and the dust and noise generated during construction.
"The Trust's primary duty to the Cayman Islands and its people is the protection of the country's natural resources," Roulstone noted, adding that millions of dollars have been invested in the Park by both the public and private sectors over more than 35 years.
A call for safeguards
The Trust is urging the Central Planning Authority to refuse the plans unless proper safeguards are in place, and has requested that the government pursue the purchase of the northern end of the project area. If approval is granted, the Trust is asking that the Authority mandate a strict boundary buffer — citing a 2016 application for a golf course adjacent to the Park that was approved with a condition requiring "a 300' wide buffer area adjacent to the Botanic Park to be left in its natural state."
Citing a short 13-day window to respond, the Trust says it intends to take up a public campaign against the application as a matter of urgency, while reiterating its "absolute objection" to the proposal as it currently stands.
The objection letter was signed by Executive Director Frank Roulstone on behalf of the National Trust for the Cayman Islands.