Martissant, Haiti

December 25, 2013 9:16 AM

Martissant is known for its dense population, being a district of the capital, and also for the prolific violence that plagues the city and its residents. The surfeit of bad press, armed with truths, half-truths and suppositions about Martissant have painted the area as a 'no-go' zone for those who can avoid it.

Listed among the bad are those points in history that stick in the brain to this day; its part in the slaying of over 500 people due to gang related violence in 2006, the murder of freelance journalist Jean-Rémy Badio at his home in 2007, as well as the mass murder of no fewer than one dozen patrons at a soccer match in 2005.

With the legacy of Martissant as such, in 2007, the government provided one bit of good press for the troubled community. The announcement was that the estates of Pauline, Mangonès, Leclerc and Dunham would be freed, by decree of the president, for public use as a park. Stemming from a proposal made by the Foundation for Knowledge and Liberty (FOKAL), a buffer zone would also be created that would include the surrounding urban areas, as part of a joint development area.

The aim of the park was stated as being for the enhancement and preservation of local flora as well as the historical heritage and natural environment. There were also plans to use the venue as a space for training, research and culture. Today, the park is open and offers an oasis within the cloistered den of violence that is still Martissant. It is hoped that the beauty within the park can translate to beauty without.

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Martissant, Haiti

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