Discover Lafayette, LA’s, Parks and Outdoor Spaces
One of the more popular sayings in Cajun culture is “lagniappe,” a word used to describe “a little something extra.” The most obvious lagniappe in Lafayette, LA, are the parks and outdoor spaces that are prevalent throughout the city and parish.
Sure, the fabulous food is a key ingredient to the region’s robust reputation, along with its numerous festivals and overall friendly atmosphere. But when you sprinkle in 30 parks and a wide variety of outdoor amenities – swimming pools, golf courses, basketball courts, baseball/softball fields, pickleball and tennis courts, walking and biking trails, a skate park and even a cricket field – you have a lagniappe to love.
“Lafayette has always been a strong family community, and these extra elements are what families are looking for,” says Lafayette Mayor-President Monique Blanco Boulet. “We want to provide spaces where people can be with one another and have those shared experiences with family members and friends.”
Lafayette certainly has plenty of these spaces, beginning with an expansive parks system. Highlights include the 117-acre Acadiana Park (mountain bike trail, 36-hole disc golf course), centrally located Girard Park (pond and splash pad, 1.25-mile jogging/walking trail with special workout areas) and 100-acre Moncus Park (home to farmers markets, yoga classes and other community events).
“Being outside promotes a healthier lifestyle and provides a better quality of life,” says Timothy Sensley, Lafayette Parks, Arts, Recreation & Culture director. “Our goal is to provide those green spaces to our community so they can take advantage of them.”
Where to Play in the Region
Lafayette, LA, has long been providing the outdoor amenities that residents desire. For example, the Lafayette Municipal Golf Course was originally built in 1926, making it the oldest course in southern Louisiana. But the city also continuously strives to improve on what’s already there, which is why the beloved Muni, as it’s called, underwent a major renovation in 2010.
One of Lafayette’s newest attractions is a $670,000 skate park, which opened in 2024 at Thomas Park Recreation Center. The 11,000-square-foot facility features rails, platforms, a large bowl and a ramp as well as a training area for new skaters.
“The skate park has been busy ever since it opened,” Sensley says. “It’s great to go out there and see all the people who are using it.”
Lafayette also recently renovated Brown Park, creating four new baseball/softball fields for youth sports as well as walking trails, a playground, a dog park and covered barbecue grills.
“A family can go out there and spend the day and enjoy outdoor life at no cost,” Sensley says of the Lafayette, LA, park. “Just bring the coals and meat, and you have a family outing.”
Meanwhile, Moore Park has a new $15 million soccer complex with nine fields, including a 1,000-seat main stadium with artificial turf and LED sports lighting. And for something a little different, a cricket field is in the works at Debaillon Park for the Lafayette Cricket Club.
“We have a group here that enjoys cricket, and they travel to compete in tournaments,” Sensley says. “They came to us about building a cricket field here so they can hold some tournaments locally. We’re always listening to the needs of our community and trying to facilitate those needs. We want to give everyone within the community something that gets them out of the house and engaged in these green spaces.”
More Outdoor Fun to Come in Lafayette, LA
The latest major outdoor recreation project in Lafayette, LA, is a proposed walking path around the urban core. The initial half-mile section of trail will run from Moncus Park to the University of Louisiana at Lafayette’s new Cajun Field football stadium.
“That will then give us the opportunity to connect to other major projects that we have going on throughout downtown,” Boulet says. “We are an outdoor recreation community in general, and this trail system will take that to another level.
“It’s phenomenal what urban trails like this can do to bring people together and build community. That’s what I see with this project. It’s a major step for Lafayette. People are ready for this. We’ve talked about it for a long time, and now we’re starting to execute it.”
It is yet another way that Lafayette, LA, is working to give a little lagniappe to everyone when it comes to parks and outdoor recreation.
“We cater to all ages and abilities, with an emphasis on abilities,” says Jamie Boudreaux, Lafayette chief communications officer. “We’re intentional about meeting the community where they are and building spaces and creating programs for their needs. Whether it’s somebody just walking with a baby stroller or somebody looking to get in a workout, we want them to be able to use these green spaces for whatever they want to do.”
This article is sponsored by the Lafayette Convention & Visitors Commission, Lafayette Economic Development Authority and One Acadiana.