I visit San Pedro's most popular Maya Ruin after Hon. Manuel Heredia Jr., Minister of Tourism, Culture and Civil Aviation, signed the final Statutory Instrument (SI) making the Marco Gonzalez Maya Site and official Archeological National Park on Friday, April 1, 2011. The site is becoming another great attraction on the island. Great new finds and even skeletal remains have been found at the site which will now boast a more attractive environment and services to visitors. Related Link: San Pedro's First Official Archeological Site
Hon. Manuel Heredia, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Civil Aviation, and the Belize Tourism Board (BTB) handed over the second installment of their $20,000 pledge from BTB and NICH/Institute of Archeology towards the Marco Gonzalez Mayan Archeological Site in San Pedro, Ambergris Caye. This took place last week Thursday, June 16, 2011.
These funds total to $10,000US which qualifies the Marco Gonzalez Site to meet the $10,000US Challenge Grant from the Challenge Grant from the Frederick S. Upton Foundation. All of this money will go towards building project Phase 1 Permanent Boardwalk across the marsh and into the site area. Two grant proposals are being written for submission that will ask for funding the first phase of the project. The existing "London bridge" will be removed for safety and for the enhancement of the marshland eco system.
The statutory instruments for the Mayan site on the island have been gazetted which makes the site an official Archaeological Reserve, properly available to the public. A request for the use of the green building at the site’s entrance has been sent to the owners of the property. The building will be for housing our first Belizean employee as Fee Collector/Security person.
Two additional employees are being sought for part time grounds men. The spring storms plus additional debris accumulated over the years are in need of clean up. After an initial time of cleaning, a permanent grounds man will be hired.
Calendar Fundraiser
The 2012 Marco Gonzalez Maya Calendar is now soliciting advertisers. Jan Brown says that this is their first major fundraising event. “It will be a must have calendar for 2012,” commented Jan. “Wait until you see what December holds and who is featured as our Mayan Queen for January 2013, welcoming all to a new era!”
Jan says that the Marco Gonzalez project has been fortunate to receive funds from an anonymous donor, as well as a $500USD donation from Tiffany and Rex Redden.
Tours of the site are being conducted daily for visitors and locals. The cost is only $10 for Belizeans and $20 for visitors. When the fee collector is in place, a sign will be posted with prices and weekend specials for Belizean adults and children.
Make sure you visit the new Marco Gonzalez Mayan Site Website:
Jan Brown needs a medal for her efforts in this. A real prize for the island. This couldn't be more positive for the island. Thanks to Jan's efforts and all involved. however... I would feel much more comfortable about this if it was irreversible and the park was forever but Belize law allows the minister to change the status of the park and sell it to a developer for condos if the minister chooses, and until that law is changed it isn't really a done deal and we shouldn't rejoice to much..
Everyone check out July/Aug issue of Islands magazine [will hit stands any time now] Marco Gonzalez is mentioned as an up and coming Ambergris Caye Attraction in their Best Islands to Live on issue.
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Belize Red Cross volunteer media and communications
This morning I took my staff and their kids to meet Jan and tour the Marco Gonzales site. It was a real treat. Very interesting to be able to walk around a site that is just beginning to be excavated....pottery shards everywhere. Felt like we were on a jungle trip on the mainland, but the whole trip took only half a day and you can get there by golf cart. This is a great trip for tourists (or anyone) to take advantage of on a day like today when it's too rough to be on the water.
In 2010, the Marco Gonzalez Maya Site on Ambergris Caye was elevated to an archaeological reserve with the opening of a foot walk to the site. Since then, the board walk has been dilapidated and a new project by the Board is underway to build the site to make it ready for educational tours. On Saturday, the board launched its 2012 Marco Gonzalez Maya Site calendar as one of its first fund raisers. Jan Brown is the Founder and Chairman of the Board of the Marco Gonzalez Maya Site project who spoke with Love News.
The calendar is on sale for twenty Belize dollars and is available at several outlets and stores on Ambergris Caye.
The opinions and views expressed on this board are the subjective opinions of Ambergris Caye Message Board members and not of the Ambergris Caye Message Board its affiliates, or its employees.
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