Retreat Gardens National Park
11 Acreas of greenery, hidden from the main road and home to a large collection of palms and tropical plants.
Retreat Gardens National Park
School Tour
Retreat Gardens National Park
The park was formerly a private estate and gifted to the people of Bahamas.
Retreat Gardens National Park
Educational Tours are available to schools and the public.
Retreat Gardens National Park
Open Air Gazebo used for educational tours
Retreat Gardens National Park
Paths lead the eye, inviting investigation
Retreat Gardens National Park
Charlene taking me on a quick tour of the park
Retreat Gardens National Park
Large sink holes were seen frequently along path that we walked.
Retreat Gardens National Park
Ancient Arbours
Retreat Garden National Park
Sink hole used as a well. Sink holes are also used in what is called Pothole farming.
The "Marked by Teachers" website offers this explanation.
Pothole Method
Pothole Farming is a time-honored technique used in the Bahamas. A practice passed on from generation to generation and initially experienced in Arawak agriculture. Potholes are pockets of fertile black or red soil that are found in rocky limestone areas.
The limestone rock of the Bahamas does not break-up to form a foundation for soil. But, it is dissolved by rainwater causing clearings in the limestone rock called potholes. Soil forms in these pockets of dissolved rock. The soil in the potholes is enriched by corroded plant materials called humus.
Retreat Gardens National Park
Each feature on the property...like this sink hole, is numbered and mapped.
Retreat National Park
Paths meander through the trees
The Retreat Gardens National Park
This seemed to be a natural spring but I was not entirely sure
Retreat Gardens National Park
Sink hole turned to water feature
Retreat Gardens National
Water feature