BREC Continues Construction on Three Parks in North Part of East Baton Rouge

Submitted by Chad Brewer

    The Recreation and Park Commission for the Par ish of East Baton Rouge (BREC) approved updating their agreement with the City of Baker to improve their downtown City Park trail. In other action, the BREC Commission approved a bid to begin the construction of Central Community Sports Park. In addition, BREC invites the public to celebrate the Zachary Community Park Phase II ground breaking and Grand Opening of the Raising Cane’s Dog Park Saturday on June 4, 10 a.m. to noon at 20055 Hwy. 964 in Zachary.

    In Baker, BREC will install exercise equipment an exercise system for older and disabled adults along a trail in the park. The BREC Foundation collected $18,000 thus far for the equipment. Donors include the Main Street Pilot Club, Baker Charitable Foundation, Knights of Columbus Council 4085, Community Care Center, Peoples Health and Mary Sue Stages, APAC. BREC will use $8,000 in public funds for pads and installation. BREC will maintain the equipment, per the agreement. According to Carl Stages, BREC Foundation Executive Director, "Working together, this public-private partnership between community allies will create another way that citizens, especially seniors and those with disabilities, can enjoy the park and improve their health."

    In the City of Central, the BREC commission awarded a bid to DRC Emergency Services for $2.9 million to construct the first phase of improvements for the Central Community Sports Park. Phase One will begin construction in about six weeks and will last about a year. The park will open in the fall of 2012 with the completion of Phase One. According to Assistant Superintendent, Ted Jack, "We are really excited to begin this portion of the construction on what will be a great park for the Central community."

    Phase One will include the park infrastructure, five ball fields, two parking lots, four lakes, a walking path, restrooms, and a concession building. Phase I was funded through East Baton Rouge Parish voters’ support of the "Imagine Your Parks" strategic plan in 2004. Phase Two, unfunded at this time, includes a playground, two additional ball fields and three-to-four practice fields. BREC’s Landscape Architects developed the Central Community Sports Park master plan in house with the construction documents completed by CSRS Engineering Cons ulting Firm. DRC Emergency Services will serve as the general contractor for the project.

    In Zachary, the groundbreaking ceremony for the Zachary Community Park Phase Two renovations is scheduled for Saturday, June 4 from 10 a.m. to noon. Located adjacent to the backside of the Zachary City Park, this unique community park will provide outdoor fun for everyone on 43 acres of land. The Raising Cane’s Dog Park will open at the Zachary Community Park at the same time.

     Completed Phase One renovations of the park include site infrastructure, lighting and drainage, the Great Lawn, Raising Cane’s Dog Park, basketball courts, a sand volleyball court, family picnic areas, walking paths, a modu lar skate park, and a fishing pier on the large lake. The second phase of renovations will include the recreation facility and park signage. The park will also offer a variety of outdoor recreation activities and interactive programming such as canoeing, kayaking, and outdoor music concerts. The park will also be available to host many of BREC’s special events as well as community sponsored events.

    The master plan for the Zachary Community Park was developed in house by BREC landscape architects.Construction costs for the Zachary Community Park totaled roughly $1.9 million. ABMB Engineers completed the construction documents for the Zachary Community Park. BREC Landscape Architects led the design of the Zachary Community Park. Block Construction, L.L.C. served as the General Contractor for the project.For more information on all o f these park projects, visit brec.org/construction.