Lake Charles, Louisiana - Lake Charles Mayor Nic Hunter, along with elected officials and community leaders, gathered on Friday, November 3 to inaugurate Nellie Lutcher Memorial Park in the heart of the Nellie Lutcher Cultural District. This park boasts unique design features not found in any other City parks.
The park is situated within the Nellie Lutcher Cultural District, which obtained official certification from the State of Louisiana in 2016 after its establishment in 2015. The boundaries of this district are delineated by 7th Street and Railroad Avenue to the north and south, and Ryan Street and Enterprise Boulevard to the east and west.
Additionally, the City of Lake Charles Enterprise Boulevard Economic Development District, created during Mayor Hunter's term in 2018, will also reap benefits from this new addition. Funding for the park was provided through a combination of resources from the City of Lake Charles and Community Development Block Grant Funds.
“The Nellie Lutcher Memorial Park features a stage, outlined with piano keys to pay homage to Nellie Lutcher, someone who has meant so much to the fabric of this community. It will also, in the coming months, feature a mural of Nellie Lutcher,” said Mayor Nic Hunter. “In addition to the stage and special landscaping features, the park also includes connectivity for food trucks, making this an ideal location to host community events.”
“As a lifelong resident I remember the heyday of Enterprise Boulevard,” said District B Lake Charles City Councilwoman Luvertha August. “I am thrilled beyond words to see this area taking on a new life and being redeveloped with a series of new projects. The Nellie Lutcher Memorial Park adds a key quality of life component back to this corridor, attracting new and old visitors alike.”
During the ceremony, Lake Charles Mayor Nic Hunter also revealed plans for an inaugural Nellie Lutcher Festival set to take place in spring 2024.