The Rocky Point Heritage Park & Back Bay Nature Reserve

Our aim is to preserve the ‘Area of Concern’ and its rich, unique history and archeology, via the Park’s proposed attractions. Also to be a modern and unique historical, heritage & marine/environmental educational center, for both the youth of Tobago & tourists alike, by offering ‘immersive’ opportunities to learn about the history and/or the marine environment. We’ll offer an alternative approach to the use of lands at Rocky Point & Back Bay, in order to enhance the eco-tourism offerings in the Tobago tourism product.

ATTRACTIONS

1. Amerindian Village Replica (life-sized):

The vision here is to construct a life-sized replica of an Amerindian village, nestled beneath the forest (a 1st of its kind in the Caribbean!), in the area identified on the map just north of the existing cabanas. The site will have footpaths throughout to allow visitors to walk amongst the village and immerse themselves, to better understand what life was like for the first people of Tobago. Visitors will be able to take guided tours of the village, with trained and knowledgeable guides; these tours will be facilitated through the Museum.

2. Rocky Point Museum:

It is intended that the Museum will not only have Amerindian history but will include ALL the history of Tobago, from the first people, all the different settlers, to slavery, etc., so that the site as a whole will be a significant Archeological, Historical & Heritage attraction.

The Museum will facilitate several guided tour options, such as:

• Immersive ‘Walk-through’ tours of the Amerindian Village replica.
• Actual archeological tours where visitors will get to physically look for artifacts in a pre-determined location. Any artifacts found will remain the property of the Museum, however, the individual will be given credit for the find via a register, that will be kept on the Museum’s wall for future visitors to see.
• The ‘Settlers’ tour, will involve an easy walk through the forest along the trail from the Village leading to the Fort. Along this walk, the trained guide will discuss the history of all the different ‘Settlers’; which in and of itself, is much longer than the walk to the fort, but it is envisioned here, that with the ‘right’ guide, with the ‘right’ personality and knowledge, that this tour can be very engaging.

3. Rocky Point Fort:

From all accounts, this particular fort is one of the oldest structures in Tobago; being first used by the Courlanders in the 1680s and then again by the British in the 1780s. The idea here is that the area be beautified and access is created in an environmentally sound manner so as to preserve as much of the natural forest as possible, while still affording visitors the breathtaking views it provides. The ruins of the fort and the accompanying structures are to be identified and protected, and large signs are erected telling the story of the fort’s history along with pictures and artists’ renditions of the area as it was.

4. Hiking / Walking / Biking Trail:

Due to the area’s natural and relatively untouched forest along the bluff, the hiking/walking/biking trail will allow locals and visitors (of any/all levels), to take a leisurely walk, easy hike, mountain bike, or morning run, up the hill from the ‘Village’, along the bluff ending at the spectacular view from the fort.

5. Back Bay Nature Reserve:

The Back Bay Nature Reserve will offer a myriad of eco-activities and attractions that will highlight the untouched virgin environment that Back Bay offers. (Note that the intention is that all of the below attractions will be constructed in an environmentally sustainable manner, so as to keep the area as natural as possible):

All of the above will be facilitated through the Back Bay Nature Reserve’s Visitors Center, which will be staffed with trained and knowledgeable personnel. It is also envisioned here that a Café/Restaurant can also be incorporated into the Visitor’s Center.