Parks in Southwest Louisiana: Investing in Outdoor Fun
Outdoor recreation options are a major contributor to a region’s quality of life, and Southwest Louisiana certainly checks that livability box in a positive way. The region has dozens of scenic green spaces, and improvements continue to take place within several trails and parks in Southwest Louisiana.
For example, overall improvements include upgrades to a pair of popular outdoor venues in Lake Charles – Drew Park and Hillcrest Park. Drew Park recently added more paved walkways and refurbished its picnic tables, and Hillcrest Park installed new pickleball courts.
Other projects in the planning stages include adding a putting greens course and botanical garden at JD Clifton Park, while new playground equipment is scheduled for installation at both College Oaks and Mary Belle Williams parks.
In addition, a Louisiana Vietnam Veterans Memorial is being designed for Veterans Memorial Park, and Lock Park will ultimately be transformed into a fully inclusive playground that will be accessible to families of all ability levels.
Tidying Trails in Southwest Louisiana
Also seeing renovations and refurbishments in the SWLA region is Sam Houston Jones State Park, a 1,000-acre outdoor natural haven located between Moss Bluff and Westlake. In recent years, the rural state park has become a popular destination, especially for avid mountain bikers, thanks in large part to the efforts of the 100-member Lake Area Mountain Bike Organization (LAMBO).
“In 2020, the region got hit with hurricanes, and the 7 miles of existing mountain bike trails at Sam Houston Jones were lost,” says Tyler Churchman, LAMBO vice president. “Our organization was founded in 2022, and today, about 11 miles of really nice trails exist, thanks to the efforts of volunteers and people who love mountain biking.”
Churchman says the state has designated LAMBO the official trail steward at Sam Houston Jones, and private entities are stepping up to help enhance the mountain biking system. For example, energy company Phillips 66 recently provided a $50,000 biodiversity grant to go toward constructing another new trail.
Churchman adds that Sam Houston Jones State Park is quickly becoming an economic and tourist attraction for the SWLA area.
“It might be surprising to know that this region has such a big mountain biking community, but it does,” he says. “There are 20,000 people who live within a 5-mile radius of the park, and people from all walks of life are enjoying the trails. The different loop trails at the state park make biking ideal for everyone, from beginners to advanced riders.”
Southwest Louisiana Park Improvements
Another key improvement initiative taking shape is at River Bluff Park in Moss Bluff. It is undergoing a three-phase, $5.3 million development project. Park attractions now include an all-inclusive playground area, a splash pad, nature-themed butterfly pavilions, a quarter-mile walking path, a boat launch and a parking lot with space for 50 boat trailers.
“This all started in 2013 when community involvement sessions began with surveys and meetings about park improvements, and we’re currently in the final phase with our sights set on completion,” says Martin Vires, capital projects manager for the Calcasieu Parish Police Jury.
The third phase, which is occurring throughout most of 2025, is highlighted by establishing an elevated nature walking path through wetlands of cypress and palmetto trees along the Calcasieu River. Also under construction is a new pavilion near the boat launchto stage fishing tournaments and award ceremonies.
“We’re also doing some modernization to electrical, lighting and security infrastructure throughout the park, and we made some upgrades to the existing splash pad,” Vires says.
“And for the near future, we are developing plans to eventually build an outdoor fitness trail with nine exercise stations. River Bluff Park is becoming a very attractive outdoor destination.”