Lake Charles, Louisiana – City officials and community members gathered at Lock Park in Lake Charles to celebrate the significant restoration of the historic Lock Park Pavilion and to reveal preliminary designs for the park’s future as the city’s first fully inclusive recreational area. The pavilion and its accompanying restroom facilities were severely damaged by Hurricanes Laura and Delta in 2020, rendering them beyond repair. Following extensive evaluations by architects and structural engineers, it was concluded that complete reconstruction of the structures was necessary.
Mayor Nic Hunter expressed pride in the restoration efforts, stating, “We are proud to announce that the pavilion and restroom structure have been rebuilt to be an aesthetic match of the original structure. We also were able to equip the restrooms with more modern amenities that better lend themselves to park-goers of all abilities.” He highlighted the importance of creating a space that fosters play and enjoyment for all families within the community.
Plans for the park’s future highlight the inclusion of fully accessible play areas designed for children of all abilities. While the drawings are in preliminary stages, the community is encouraged to provide input and ask questions via email at [email protected].
Julia Bourgeois, founder and executive director of Families for Inclusion, emphasized the significance of accessible restroom facilities, stating, “The bathrooms are one of the most important parts, anytime you go to the park and if it’s not ADA accessible, you’re going to have to leave and go find a restroom that is. The fact that they fixed this piece first before the park opened is huge. Just by the renderings, I can tell that they put a lot of thought into how inclusive and accessible they can make it.”
The redesign of Lock Park is being undertaken in collaboration with LyondellBasell, which has contributed $100,000 to the city’s Partners in Parks Fund at the Community Foundation SWLA. Additionally, local nonprofit organizations such as Families for Inclusion, Children’s Miracle Network, and Families Helping Families have played vital roles as strategic partners in the project.
Remaining funding for the park’s redevelopment will be sourced through the LC REBOUND Bond. Construction on the redesigned park is anticipated to commence before the end of 2025, marking an important step toward enhancing recreational opportunities for the entire community.