Published May 10, 2024

Parks across Caddo Parish are having facilities built, fields restored, and various amenities upgraded, according to a recently released update on parish-wide work.

The Caddo Parks and Recreation Department maintains 14 parks located throughout the parish, and keeping them safe, clean and outfitted with upgrades is a constant effort. At almost all of the parish's parks, there's currently some kind of project underway.

Here is the work being done at the following parks:

Bessie D. Smith Park (412 East Olive St., Shreveport)

Scope of Work: Installing walking distance signs. Installing new animal art displays throughout park. Installing new LED park lighting.

Status: Walking distance signs are expected to be installed by May 15. Animal art displays are expected to be installed by soon. The parish currently is getting quotes from contractors for new LED park lighting.

Caddo Lake-Channel Markers (North Caddo Parish, Louisiana side only)

Scope of Work: Ongoing replacements and repairs of broken or missing channel markers, poles, and reflectors.

Status: This is a year-round effort.

Caddo Parish Premier Park-Youth Baseball/Softball Complex via YMCA (2550 Flyer Dr., Shreveport)

Scope of Work: YMCA and Testament Construction, the contractor, is facilitating construction management of a new, eight-field youth baseball/softball complex. It's estimated cost is $7 million.

All infields will have synthetic turf installed. All fields will be lit. Construction is expected to be complete by early spring or summer of 2025.

Earl G. Williamson Park (11425 LA 1, Oil City)

Scope of Work: Converting existing tennis courts into six new pickleball courts. Installed new dugout benches and top-dressed grass athletic outfield.

Status: The pickleball court renovations and court layout have been reviewed and approved. TBA Studio, the architect, currently is developing scope of work and facilitating bid negotiations. The work is expected to be complete in the fall.

Earl G. Williamson Park via Boom or Burst Scenic Viewing Area Project

Scope of Work: Constructing prefabricated structure, approximately 3,750 square-feet, that will be partially enclosed to house restrooms and storage space. The remaining area will be a large covered open space providing multiple views of the scenic, natural and wildlife characteristics of the park. Eight interpretive panels will tell the stories of the byway.

Status: The contract and required authorizing resolution has been executed by DOTD and Caddo Parish. CAPE Construction was awarded contract via public bid for $434,150. DOTD will pay 80% of that cost and the parish will pay a 20% local match. Construction is expected to begin this summer and be completed within 270 days of the contract being executed.

Earl G. Williamson Park via pending LWCF grant

Scope of Work: To construct a new floating pier, install a new universal/ADA playground system (including shade structure, safety surfacing and borders), install large shade structure over existing large concrete slab/picnic table area, install 37 new picnic shelters, concrete slabs, and picnic tables. Provide drainage and erosion control and required ADA accessible route improvements throughout park.

Status: The Caddo Parish Parks Department has received preliminary approval for funding from the National Park Service. The parish is waiting on the official grant award notice from Louisiana Office of State Parks via NPS. The project total cost is $1.4 million with $690,500 from the NPS and $690,500 from the parish.

Eddie D. Jones Park (8400 Mike Clark Road., Keithville)

Scope of Work: Installed additional play mounds in playground area. Developing preliminary designs and site plan for an 18-hole disc golf course.

Installing new prefabricated metal building for park maintenance to store vehicles and heavy equipment at park site.

Status: The opening bid for the Horse Trail Culvert over Cypress Bayou was held March 21. The parish awarded the contract to Benchmark Construction Group. The 18-hole disc golf course is expected to be completed in early spring 2025. The parish is getting quotes from contractors for the maintenance of the building. The trail maintenance plan is expected to be completed by August.

Greenbrook Park (8717 South Emerald Loop, Shreveport)

Scope of Work: Replacing failed asphalt along walking trail with new asphalt. Constructing a new mural art display.

Status: A purchase order has been issued for the asphalt repairs on the walking trail to contractor KAN Contracting. Local artist KaDavien Baylor will submit for approval the layout and design of the new mural, expected to be completed by June 1.

Hannah’s Park (225 Oak Grove Lane, Shreveport)

Scope of Work: Constructing new asphalt parking lot.

Status: TBA Studio will provide architectural services, bid negotiations and construction administration. The project is expected be completed by fall.

Keithville Community Park (1201 Mansfield Road, Keithville)

Scope of Work: Fill in holes on the athletic field and open greenspace areas. Converting existing tennis courts to tennis/pickleball courts. Installing new LED court lighting. Installing new shade structure over existing playground. Installing new turf play mounds in park and new ADA transition ramps for existing playground system and installing portable youth soccer goals on park grounds. Ordering new replacement parts for existing playground system (spiral tube, tube slide and crawl tube panel).

Status: Holes in ballfield and park greenspaces have been filled. The pickleball courts layout is reviewed and approved. TBA Studio will be developing scope of work, facilitating bid negotiations and construction administration. The work is expected to be completed in the fall.

An intergovernmental agreement between Caddo Schools and Caddo Parish has been executed. The parish is receiving quotes from contractors for court lighting once court renovations are complete. A purchase order for turf play mounds has been issued to contractor Hahn Enterprises, and they are expected to be installed by June 1. ADA transition ramps are ordered. Portable youth soccer goals were expected to be installed by Wednesday. Replacement parts for playground system have been delivered and are expected to be installed by June 1.