The Lafourche Parish Game and Fish Commission (Commission) has initiated plans
for a public outdoor recreation center on the Lake Fields shoreline. The specific location
is on the southeast corner of Lake Fields at the southernmost point of land between Lake
Fields and Company Canal. The Commission
initially envisoned that the facility would include a dock, bulkhead, covered lighted metal pavilion,
a fishing pier, and a nature trail. The purpose of this facility would be to provide a place
for outdoor recreation, to increase public usage of the area, and for education purposes.
Status
In 2009, the Commission moved to contract a professional landscape architect using Commission funds to
develop a master plan for the Lake Fields outdoor facility. A master plan will facilitate securing
public funds for construction of the facility. Mr. Roy Dufreche, a professional landscape architect
and master planner, was selected at the June,
2009 Commission meeting to prepare a master plan for the outdoor facility. The Commission provided
a framework for the master plan and scheduled a site visit with the contractor.
The final master plan was delivered to the Commission at their February, 2010 meeting. The master plan
consisted of several distinct areas:
Central Pavilion
Interpretive Pavilions
Marsh Boardwalk
Wayfinding Signage
The central pavilion includes a covered gathering area, bulkhead, boat dock, fishing pier, restrooms, electrical power
and an observation tower. Contrasted with the very flat surrounding area and aligned with the axis Company Canal,
the tower and pavilion will be a highly visible local landmark.
The interpretive pavilions will be connected to the central pavilion by boardwalks. The pavilions will emphasize
commerce and industry, culture and history, and ecology and the environment; the latter pavilion will be placed on
a floating pier.
The wayfinding signage system placed at local boat launches and along waterways will notify the public of the recreational
facility and assist in directing visitors.
The master plan includes cost estimates for the entire project, but also provides for construction in two phases to deal with
probable funding constraints. Phase one would consist of one-half of the main pavilion, including the restrooms, observation
tower, and portions of the bulk head. Phase two includes the northern half of the main pavilion, the three interpretive pavilions,
the boarded nature trail, and addional bulkhead.
A drawing of the proposed recreation center is shown below.
A pdf file of a power point
presentation prepared by the contractor provides additional details and images of the proposed
outdoor facility.
In the future, the Commission will be soliciting outside funds to complete the project.
