ST ANN, Jamaica —The Urban Development Corporation (UDC) is urging patience from protestors demanding seven-day access to Little Dunn’s River, assuring ongoing work on the St Ann attraction.

On Tuesday, several members of the Jamaica Beach Birthright Environmental Movement (JaBBEM) staged a peaceful protest outside the gates of the facility. Officially called the Belmont Cove Property, it was closed by the UDC in 2022 because of safety concerns after a man was murdered there.  It was reopened last year, providing service only on weekends.

In response to questions from Observer Online, the UDC on Wednesday stated that it continues to finalise a phased operational plan for the 2024-2025 period. It explained that the plan prioritises “compliance with legal regulations, public order, and sound management practices”.

“We appeal to community members to cooperate with the existing plan,” the UDC urged, stressing that the outlined way forward “is in line with the highest standards observed within the tourism and hospitality sector”.

The UDC appears to be open to ongoing dialogue.

“We will monitor and be flexible in our operations of Belmont Cove to address the varying demands as is necessary,” it said in its written response.

In addition to Little Dunn’s River, the UDC also operates Green Grotto Caves and Dunns River Falls in St Ann.

On Tuesday, president of JaBBEM and leader of the protest, Dr Devon Taylor expressed concern about the lack of access to public beaches— an issue he raises frequently.

“There is a conditional opening now only for two days of the week. Two days of the week does not equal beach access; beach access is opening the space seven days of the week so the Jamaican people can enjoy and gain access to the treasures of the land, beaches and rivers,” he argued.

Taylor also cited the negative impact the reduced opening hours have had on those who rely on the attraction as a source of income.

“Full time now that this beach open up to the Jamaican people and the community that benefits economically can also resume their economic activities. Many of the ones here are the founders, who have been here for more than 45 years and this is where they earn a living. They have not been able to earn a living for the last 18 months so the economic pressure that sits on our people is unbearable,” he insisted.

He pleaded with the authorities to address their concerns.

“We’re asking the authorities to open the gate. It is just not right that in a space like Ocho Rios right now we do not have any free beaches. This is a space where Jamaicans from all walks of life come and our community members are able to serve them beverages; [they] are able to earn a living and they can no longer do so. So it is in that spirit that we are mobilising the community in and around Little Dunn’s River to respond to an economic need of our people but also a fundamental right of access to Little Dunn’s River for the Jamaican people,” Taylor said