Territory acquires 69 acres on St. Croix west end for park system

Gov. Albert Bryan Jr. announced on March 21, 2023, that the Virgin Islands had acquired about 69 acres of beachfront and Salt Pond property on the west end of St. Croix for inclusion in the Territorial Park System.

The property, identified as Plot No. Remainder H & S Hesselberg, includes nearly 2,000 feet of beachfront and about one-third of the Salt Pond. It is adjacent to the Vincent Mason Sr. Coral Resort and Pool in Frederiksted and Sandy Point National Wildlife Refuge.

According to Government House, the property had been listed for $1.95 million and appraised at $1.7 million. The Virgin Islands Public Finance Authority purchased it for $1.2 million using funds from the March 2022 sale of the Kings Alley Hotel and Anchor Inn properties, which sold for $3.65 million.

Bryan said the acquisition would preserve wetland and cultural resources, secure public beach access and allow for expanded camping and other recreational uses. He also said the purchase was part of a broader land and water use planning process being developed through the Department of Planning and Natural Resources.

The Territorial Park System was created in 2022, according to the administration.

Official source: https://www.vi.gov/governor-bryan-announces-acquisition-of-69-acres-on-st-croixs-west-end-for-public-use-under-territorial-park-system/