Maroon Sanctuary Territorial Park

Nestled on the northwest corner of St. Croix sits Annaly Bay and Maroon Ridge, a vision of crystal-clear marine waters, miles of pristine natural shoreline, and nearly 2,500 acres of St. Croix’s most contiguous forest and coastal land. But what will soon become a permanent sanctuary for native plant and animal species has long been a place of refuge and resilience.

In the 19th Century, this land in the U.S. Virgin Islands (USVI) was a critical haven for the Maroons, self-liberated people who had escaped enslavement and found sanctuary in these remote areas. Joining forces with the USVI’s Department of Planning & Natural Resources, Division of Territorial Parks & Protected Areas, local community leaders, and partners like the Trust for Virgin Islands Lands, TPL helped protect this remarkable safe haven. Now open as Maroon Sanctuary Territorial Park, a tribute to the Maroons who defied the system that enslaved them, this space honors their legacy and preserves important Maroon cemeteries and history.

This new Territorial Park is part of a groundbreaking initiative passed by the USVI in 2022 that helps establish Territorial Park networks to preserve the islands’ natural heritage, promote biodiversity, and offer sustainable recreational opportunities. The funding to acquire Maroon Sanctuary Territorial Park is through the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s award to support the USVI’s workforce and resilience efforts. Now open, this park is the largest territorial park in the USVI, covering nearly four percent of St. Croix and providing unparalleled public access to both natural and cultural sites of great importance, while protecting water quality, shorelines, and vital habitat, and mitigating stormwater runoff. The park will also safeguard the Cane Bay reef and other popular coral reef dive sites along St. Croix’s north shore from sediment and pollution.

TPL is proud to have partnered with the Division of Territorial Parks and Protected Areas, NOAA, and local leaders to provide the St. Croix community with new opportunities for outdoor recreation, while protecting USVI’s cultural heritage and ensuring continued environmental protection for the natural beauty that makes St. Croix so special.