Park sees huge upgrades since 2020 storms!

 CURRENT PROJECTS UNDERWAY

Pickleball Court Project- We are pleased to announce the groundbreaking of our newest project, Pickleball Courts! The six new pickleball courts will be a great addition to the park. Pickleball is fun, social, and easy for the whole family to play! Pickleball is a game that is enjoyed by people of every age and fitness level. The rules are simple, and the game is easy for beginners to learn, but can develop into a fast-paced, competitive game.

Main Complex Resurfacing and Irrigation Project- COMPLETED Moss Bluff Baseball/Softball fields are getting a huge facelift during the off-season. Bayou Irrigation of Baton Rouge was given the contract in August of 2023 to strip the 10 current fields of their grass and replace with Celebration Bermuda grass. Bayou will first replace ALL irrigation the 1180 Don Manuel Blvd fields, level with topsoil and sand, then sprig in the Bermuda grass. Field reconditioning is complete. After 80+ trucks of sand, all fields are irrigation ready, contoured, base anchors inserted, and sprigged for Bermuda. An athletic rye grass was planted to allow us to begin play in Mid-February as the Bermuda will continue to spread into May.

Jones Road Lighting Project–  COMPLETED  A project to provide lighting to fields 3 and 5 at the Soccer/Football Complex. 

Cleaning Up After The Storms

Since the immediate aftermath of the disasters experienced in our area in 2020 and 2021, the District has been involved in the ongoing process of dealing with insurance issues and the FEMA assistance program.  The cleanup process has been completed and areas that could be used safely have been put back into service for the community.  

The facility on Don Manuel Blvd is over 60 years old, and the District recognized soon after the disasters that restoration to meet the needs of the community should be integrated with a vision for the future, including innovative designs and providing a safe playing environment.  The District is working Brossett Architects, who brings a resume of being experienced in parks and recreation facilities and, importantly, in disaster recovery and the FEMA process.  

Phase 1 – Fence Restoration – COMPLETED   Over 80% of the fencing was damaged by the storms. Project completed by Delta Specialty Contractors.   

Phase 2 – Lighting Restoration – COMPLETED Every light pole and fixture in the facility was damaged by the storms, including the electrical infrastructure underground.   In the early days of assessing the damage, the District made the decision that this was the time to upgrade the wooden poles to metal and use LED lights to replace the halogen fixtures and bulbs there previously. Safety lighting along walkways and in parking lots was also addressed. Project completed by Trahan Construction via Musco Lighting. 

Phase 3– Demolition of damaged concession stands. – COMPLETED This phase became important to allow development and work on the long-term scope on what the park will look like in the future. Project completed by Gunter Construction. 

Phase 4 – Dugouts – COMPLETED Vinyl covered fencing material and roof coverings were done just in time for Little League to begin their season in March of 2023. Project done by K&J Development of SWLA. 

Phase 5 – Maintenance Shop Repairs – COMPLETED The Maintenance Shop received a new metal roof and wall panels; as well as other repairs needed due to damage from the storms. Project done by K&J Development of SWLA.

Other improvements include new paint and backboards in open-air gym, restroom repairs, storage building repairs, (2) new playgrounds and tree-line cleanup. To date, Moss Bluff Recreation has spent over $3.46 million in repair and upgrades since 2022.

During this extensive process of restoration, the District is working diligently to return the facilities to a safe and enhanced environment for the community.  Thank you for your patience and understanding during this process.