Chapter 5. NATURAL RESOURCES, TOURISM AND RECREATION  

Introduction  

St. Mary Parish has an abundance of natural resources and parks and recreation amenities, which contribute to the region's uniqueness and provide for a myriad of tourism opportunities. These amenities serve as valuable recreational, educational, natural and economic resources to the region and should be preserved to ensure their continued use and enjoyment by present and future generations.

The purpose of this element is to expand on the economic opportunity for the tourism industry in the Parish and to provide for environmental conservation, regional recreational facilities, and public open space.

IMPORTANCE TO ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

Parks and recreation facilities have often been looked at in terms of the benefits they provide to the community, particularly to those that use the facilities. However, there are many region wide and public benefits derived from parks and recreation facilities in addition to the benefits to those that use the facilities. These public benefits - economic, social and environmental, are often ignored in determining the success of parks and recreation facilities and in making decisions related to sustaining or investing in them. Parks and recreation facilities play an important role in contributing to economic development initiatives in the Parish. Key economic development benefits include attracting tourists, enhancing real estate values, attracting and retaining businesses and attracting retirees. Parks and recreation attractions drive tourism's economic impact in a community. People will often travel to a destination because of the attractions that are found there. Parks (state, regional and local) and recreation (festivals, camping, fishing, and hunting) are key attractions for visitors to the community.

St. Mary Parish is well poised to provide recreational opportunities that will attract visitors to the area. The region is rich in culture, history and recreational opportunities. The Atchafalaya Basin is the one of largest area of wetlands in the nation and provides for a variety of outdoor and wildlife recreational opportunities including hunting, fishing, birding, wildlife viewing and boating. Additionally, Cypremort State Park, Bayou Teche National Wildlife Refuge and Attakapas and Atchafalaya Delta Wildlife Management Areas provide recreational opportunities in the Parish.

There are also a number of parks and recreation facilities to accommodate neighborhood and community needs throughout the Parish. Continued development and enhancement of these parks will be important in improving neighborhood amenities and in attracting and retaining businesses.

ISSUES

The following natural resources, parks, recreation and tourism issues were identified through the comprehensive plan development process, which included extensive input of citizens and stakeholders.

Protection and conservation of the natural environment - Natural resources including rivers. Lakes, marshes, deltas, swamps, wetlands, forested lands and bayous provide a variety of recreation opportunities and contribute significantly to the quality of life in St. Mary Parish. These resources should be protected through parks and recreation land acquisition, conservation, preservation and environmentally sensitive planning.

Management of floodplain areas - Floodplains consist of land located adjacent to streams, lakes, marshes, or other drainage elements that has been or may be inundated by flood waters. The floodway is the portion of a stream channel and the adjacent land areas that must be kept open to convey the base flood without cumulatively increasing the water surface elevation more than one foot. Fill and other obstructions that restrict the discharge of flood waters should not be placed within designated flood areas. These areas are located along major surface water features throughout the parish, and are governed by the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

Coastal wetland preservation - Wetlands are areas that are inundated by surface or ground water with a frequency to support vegetation and wildlife that requires saturated or seasonally saturated soil conditions. Wetlands recharge groundwater, retain floodwaters, remove sediment and contaminants from streams and coastal waters, and protect stream banks and shorelines from erosion. Wetlands also provide critical habitat and nesting grounds for many fish, birds, and other animals. Wetland areas are sensitive not only to natural processes, but also to human influence. St. Mary Parish has an extensive aquatic ecosystem, supporting diverse aquatic biota.

Protection of critical species habitat - The numerous floodplain and wetland areas scattered throughout the region provide critical habitat areas for sensitive wildlife species, as well as have the potential to sustain suitable habitat needed by aquatic or semi-aquatic sensitive wildlife species. Additionally, the abundance of woodlands provides nesting and foraging areas for sensitive bird species.

Becoming an ecotourism destination - With the abundance of natural resources in the region, St. Mary Parish is poised for significant ecotourism opportunities. The Parish should capitalize on these resources and diversify the tourism economy through providing nature based tourism activities.

Expanding heritage-based tourism opportunities. There are numerous cultural, historical and archeological sites throughout the Parish that attract visitors to the region. Working with various agencies and businesses in preserving and marketing historical resources will enhance heritage tourism and increase Parish tourism.

Attracting tournaments, special events and conventions. Hosting sports tournaments, special events and conventions will expand tourism opportunities in the Parish. To host tournaments and special events, adequate facilities and services are required including an assortment of accommodations, larger meeting/ gathering rooms and transportation/shuttle services.

Maintenance and enhancement of existing parks facilities. As the population grows and increased demand is placed on existing parks and recreation facilities, ongoing maintenance will be essential. Improvements identified by the Parish included routine maintenance and repairs as well as the addition of new equipment and facilities to meet the active and passive recreation needs of the region's residents and visitors.

Safe and efficient network of bicycle and pedestrian facilities. An interconnected system of bicycle and pedestrian facilities serve not only as an alternative mode of transportation, but also as a form of recreation and exercise. A system of nature trails and bike lanes/routes should be developed that connect the region's parks, schools, neighborhoods, commercial centers and public buildings.

Provide and fund additional parks and recreation facilities. As the region matures, additional parks and recreation facilities will be necessary concurrent with new development. Funding for these facilities can be accomplished through local financing, state and federal grants, and by private fees and dedication.

Inter-city and inter-governmental coordination - Coordination with each of the municipalities and other governmental entities will be imperative to protect natural resources, create a regional parks and recreation system and enhance tourism opportunities in the Parish.

Protection and Conservation of Natural Resources

There are an abundance of natural resources that contribute to the parish's uniqueness and are instrumental to the well being of the local economy. The parish's natural resources, including its many lakes, rivers, bayous, deltas, swamps, marshes, wetlands and forested lands, should be preserved and protected to ensure their continued use and enjoyment by current and future generations. Additionally, environmentally sensitive areas, such as floodplains, wetlands, and critical habitat areas, should be conserved to enhance the natural amenities of the area. Through land conservation, open space preservation, and parkland acquisition, these resources can continue to be a valuable asset to the parish in providing scenic beauty, enhancing the local economy, contributing to habitat management, and providing a variety of recreational and tourism opportunities.

Goal 5.1: Provide a safe and healthy environment for all citizens.

Objective A: Ensure that future development is in compliance with federal and state environmental quality regulations.

Objective B: Guide future development away from environmentally sensitive areas and incorporate sustainable design techniques into development plans and programs.

Action 5.1.1: Coordinate with federal, state, and other government agencies to regulate environmental quality and safety.

Action 5.1.2: Minimize the impact of commercial and industrial operations on the surrounding natural environment through best management practices, groundwater protection and storm water management requirements.

Action 5.1.3: When reviewing proposed developments, consider the extent to which the land has the capacity to handle the type and intensity of the proposed development.

Action 5.1.4: Designate marsh and swamp lands, coastal wetlands, and other areas not appropriate for development as a wetland district.

Action 5.1.5: Integrate sustainable design concepts into future development plans and programs.

Action 5.1.6: Encourage public/ private partnerships focused on the restoration and stewardship of environmentally sensitive areas.

Action 5.1.7: Establish a local or regional authority or agency dedicated to the protection and enhancement of natural resource areas.

Action 5.1.8: Protect priority conservation areas through conservation easements, density bonuses or through fee simple acquisition.

Management of Floodplain Areas

Future development in St. Mary Parish should be coordinated with the physical and natural environments, accounting for the existing natural features. Floodplain areas should not be encroached upon by future development unless there is compliance with stringent floodplain management practices. To the extent practicable, floodplains should remain undeveloped, used for parks or other recreational purposes, or used for agricultural purposes.

Goal 5.2: Manage floodplain areas to ensure compliance with applicable development regulations.

Objective A: Continue to promote environmentally sensitive access to and use of lakes and bayous.

Objective B: Preserve 100- and 500-year floodplain areas for use as conservation areas, public open space, and linear linkages between neighborhoods and community activity areas.

Action 5.2.1: Coordinate with the Federal Emergency Management Agency and local and regional floodplain administrators to regulate development within designated flood prone areas.

Action 5.2.2: Ensure development within the 100-year floodplain is in conformance with all applicable federal, state, regional, and local development regulations.

Action 5.2.3: Organize a watershed management initiative to address drainage and flooding issues within the parish.

Action 5.2.4: Conserve floodplains and adjacent areas through land acquisition, open space preservation, and environmentally sensitive planning.

Action 5.2.5: Identify floodplains and other natural features to evaluate the sites most appropriate for various development types.

Action 5.2.6: Promote the use of floodplains as natural areas and open space buffers between differing uses.

Action 5.2.7: Encourage preservation of the Bayou Teche and Atchafalaya River Corridors through land conservation, open space preservation and land acquisition.

Coastal Wetland Preservation

The majority of St. Mary Parish south of U.S. 90 consists of swamp and marsh lands and coastal wetlands. These coastal wetlands provide the essential feeding and reproduction habitat for numerous species of fish and wildlife.

The State of Louisiana contributes a significant amount of the nation's total commercial fisheries harvest. Currently, Louisiana has the highest wetland loss rate in the United States, occurring mostly in coastal areas. These sensitive areas should be protected from development and maintained as natural amenities, open space or for parks and recreational uses, or should be preserved as critical habitat areas. Preserving and protecting these natural areas will allow the parish to market them for tourism related activities.

Goal 5.3: Preserve coastal wetlands, their water sources and adjacent areas.

Objective A: Replenish and protect coastal wetlands, essential fish habitat, and adjacent natural areas.

Objective B: Carefully manage development in environmentally sensitive areas.

Action 5.3.1: Coordinate with federal, state, regional, and local governmental agencies to develop ways to protect and enhance the parish's coastal wetlands.

Action 5.3.2: Organize management strategies to minimize the adverse effects of development projects on the critical habitat areas associated with wetlands.

Action 5.3.3: Develop community-based wetland restoration programs.

Action 5.3.4: Avoid or minimize human impacts to wetland areas as well as their water sources and adjacent areas.

Action 5.3.5: Support initiatives of Coast 2050 and the Atchafalaya Basin program in the protection of coastal resources.

Protection of Critical Species Habitat

The conversion of critical habitat areas to other uses reduces the diversity of habitats. Sensitive resources dependent upon diverse habitat types must relocate to other habitat areas where factors such as predation, competition with other wildlife species, and human disturbances will not disrupt successful reproduction. As available habitats become more and more separated, feeding and reproduction activities may require a greater expenditure of energy, thus placing a species at greater risk of exposure. Increased reproduction, therefore, may not be sufficient to compensate for annual mortality, and the diversity of wildlife species able to survive in an area is reduced. The protection and management of wildlife habitat areas is crucial to sustaining the diversity of species in St. Mary Parish. Critical habitat areas should be protected from encroaching development and other human impacts that would place the survival of a threatened or endangered species in jeopardy or negatively impact its habitat.

Goal 5.4: Encourage the protection and expansion of designated wildlife habitat management areas.

Objective A: Protect critical species habitat and surrounding areas from adverse development impacts.

Objective B: Ensure that future development does not jeopardize the continued existence of any threatened or endangered species, or result in the adverse modification of designated critical habitats of such species.

Action 5.4.1: Avoid development in or near sensitive habitat areas.

Action 5.4.2: Coordinate with the United States Fish and Wildlife Service and other appropriate agencies to develop and implement programs for conserving threatened and endangered species.

Action 5.4.3: Purchase land adjacent to the existing wildlife management areas for expansion.

Action 5.4.4: Obtain conservation easements, either through purchase or donation, to protect sensitive habitat areas.

Action 5.4.5: Protect and manage wildlife habitats through the establishment of land leases and cooperative agreements.

Becoming an Eco-Tourism Destination

Ecotourism is becoming an important form of tourism as more people travel to destinations to seek out nature-related recreational opportunities. Ecotourism provides environmental, recreational, educational and economic benefits to a region. Natural resources and ecotourism projects provide recreation opportunities and attract visitors to a region contributing to the local economy. Additionally, it provides for the protection of unique natural areas and interpretive and educational opportunities for residents and visitors.

St. Mary Parish's location along the coast and the abundance of natural resources found in the Parish make it an ideal destination for ecotourism. The unique landscape of the Atchafalaya Basin, Cypremort State Park, Bayou Teche National Wildlife Refuge, the two wildlife management areas, and the many bayous, rivers and lakes all present excellent recreational and educational opportunities in the region. The Parish should capitalize on these resources and diversify the tourism economy through providing nature based tourism activities.

While these opportunities are present for ecotourism, the Parish is lacking in visitor services: appropriate businesses and personnel that support and offer nature oriented experiences desired by tourists. There is a need for facilities to interpret and educate the public on the region's unique resources and Cajun culture. This includes qualified tour guides and operators who are capable of interpreting natural resources in a clear and interesting manner. Additionally, there is a need for associated services including boat rentals and a variety of accommodation options, such as hotels/motels, cabins and camps, bed and breakfasts, campgrounds, RV parks and other stay options.

Although tourists provide an economic benefit to the community, it is imperative that the impact of tourists be minimized and nature based programs exercise stewardship towards the natural environment. Stewardship also entails ensuring that local people benefit from the economic activity associated with eco-tourism, including protecting existing aspects of the economy that also depend upon natural resources and a healthy eco-system. Careful planning and management of tourism is instrumental to ensure the region's natural resources are preserved for their continued use and enjoyment by present and future generations.

Goal 5.5: Promote St. Mary Parish as an ecotourism destination through building upon the region's natural amenities.

Objective A: Enhance and develop ecotourism opportunities in the Atchafalaya Basin, through emphasizing its unique attributes.

Objective B: Expand local emphasis on existing natural amenities including Bayou Teche, the Atchafalaya River, Cypermort State Park, swamp and marsh lands and wildlife management areas.

Objective C: Develop appropriate businesses and services to support the ecotourism industry, by supporting local entrepreneurs as well as attracting outside investment.

Objective D: Support birding and wildlife viewing in the Parish.

Action 5.5.1: Host an ecotourism conference, bringing together stakeholders from both private and public sectors to determine opportunities in the Parish and identify needs to become an ecotourism destination.

Action 5.5.2: Develop an ecotourism development plan, which identifies nature based tourism resources in the region, their potential for tourism and associated services and needs to accommodate tourists.

Action 5.5.3: Improve access in the Atchafalaya Basin for boating and enjoyment of wildlife and natural areas through additional boat launches, boat rentals and guided tours.

Action 5.5.4: Evaluate the potential adverse impacts or harmful effects of tourism on natural resources in the region and prepare a mitigation and management plan.

Action 5.5.5: Coordinate with the Votech School in providing training to local businesses and employees on how to launch an ecotourism business and provide nature based opportunities.

Action 5.5.6: Provide training and/or workshops related to interpersonal, communication and interpretive skills.

Action 5.5.7: Participate in conferences and programs concerned with providing eco-tourism experiences. In addition to the International Ecotourism Society, organizations sponsoring eco-tourism research range from public agencies like the National Park Service and National Forest Service to advocacy groups like Conservation International, the World Wildlife Federation, the Wilderness Society and the Sierra Club, to hobby groups like the American Hiking Society and, of course, the tourism industry professional associations.

Action 5.5.8: Develop guidelines for sustainable tourism in the Parish including an ongoing advertising and marketing campaign, sound management practices and benchmarking.

Action 5.5.9: Ensure tour guide operators and ecotourism businesses follow ecotourism guidelines developed by the International Ecotourism Society.

Action 5.5.10: Work with Cajun Coast Convention and Visitors Bureau (CCVCB) in offering grants, seed money and low interest loans to assist ecotourism related businesses.

Action 5.5.11: Encourage applicable businesses to participate in the Atchafalaya Trace Heritage program and take advantage of the tax incentives offered.

Action 5.5.12: Offer group insurance programs for small businesses that support ecotourism services as well as centralized marketing and advertising.

Action 5.5.13: Ease access to local and state funding sources, e.g., through Community Entrepreneurship and Economic Development (CEED), by funneling information to eco-tourism entrepreneurs and advocating inclusive qualifying guidelines at the state level.

Action 5.5.14: Work with appropriate state and federal agencies in developing the Atchafalaya Delta and Attakapas Wildlife Management Areas as ecotourism attractions. This may include adding hiking trails, cabins and interpretive centers in these areas.

Action 5.5.15: Coordinate with appropriate agencies including the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Army Corps of Engineers to ensure adequate public access to natural areas for wildlife viewing and birding.

Action 5.5.16: Organize and promote wildlife festivals in the Parish.

Action 5.5.17: Ensure wildlife and birding education opportunities and activities are included at the proposed interpretive center in the Bayou Teche National Wildlife Refuge and at the Atchafalaya Basin Nature and Cultural Center.

Action 5.5.18: Coordinate with the Louisiana Department of Culture, Recreation and Tourism in providing educational programs at Cypremort State Park that involve interpreting plant and animal life.

Action 5.5.19: Seek out tour operators and guides, knowledgeable about local wildlife and birds, to provide guided tours for visitors.

Action 5.5.20: Ensure there are associated services to support ecotourism in the Parish, including boat rentals and accommodations.

Action 5.5.21: Work with appropriate state agencies in providing cabins and R.V. hook ups at Cypremort State Park, in the wildlife management areas and in other nature areas.

Action 5.5.22: Enhance canoe trails through providing global positioning system (GPS) signage and encouraging the development of service areas and canoe rentals along the trails.

Action 5.5.23: Support the initiatives found in the Atchafalaya Basin State Master Plan, including providing public access for fish and wildlife recreation while preserving resources and managing human impact.

Action 5.5.24: Support the development of the Atchafalaya Basin Nature and Cultural Center near Lake End Park.

Action 5.5.25: Coordinate with U.S. Fish and Wildlife in developing an interpretive center in the Bayou Teche National Wildlife Refuge.

Action 5.5.26: Implement and/or support, if feasible, the following Atchafalaya Basin Program recommended projects: 

• Recommendations of the Morgan City Atchafalaya Gateway Plan

• Development of the Atchafalaya Interpretive Center and research facility

• Atchafalaya golf course at Kemper Williams Park

• Paving of Atchafalaya Basin Levee Road to Lake Fausse Point

• Improvements to Lake End Parkway and the Joe C. Russo Memorial Boat Landing including fishing piers, boat launches and cabins

• Improvements to Lake End Park including roadways, infrastructure, playground equipment, camp sites and ancillary structures/improvements

• Development of Trailhead Park in Morgan City

• Improvements and upgrading of Millet Point, Wilson's Landing and Charenton Boat Dock

• Improvements and redevelopment of the Charenton Heritage Museum

• Improvements to Baldwin Park

• Improvements to Mr. Charlie

• Rehabilitation of Judge's stand at Lake Palourde

• Development of a wave-break in Lake Palourde with a recreation area

• Dredging American Pass

• Improving water quality and navigation at Flat Lake

• Teche Theatre

• Parc Sur La Teche/Center Theatre

• Popkin's Downtown Museum

• Crowell School Building/City Hall/Louisiana Governors Archives and Museum

• Grevemberg House Museum

• Florence Plantation

• Fairfax Foster Bailey Boat Landing/Fifth Street Fishing Pier

• Jesse B. Hayes Park R. V. Hook ups and Pavilion

• Public Dock Improvements behind Patterson City Hall

(Ord. No. 1571, § I, 4-9-03)

Expanding Heritage-Based Tourism Opportunities.

Heritage tourism is generally associated with visitors frequenting areas of historic or cultural interest. The Parish should capitalize on its rich history and culture through encouraging heritage tourism. There are numerous cultural, historical and archeological sites located throughout the Parish that can attract travelers to the region.

There are several programs in the Parish that currently encourage and support heritage tourism. The Bayou Teche Byway (LA 182) was designated as a scenic byway by the State of Louisiana. The purpose of the byway is to provide visitors and residents with a heritage and/or ecotourism experience.

The Atchafalaya Trace Heritage Area is a region of south central Louisiana that encompasses thirteen parishes around the Atchafalaya River Basin including St. Mary Parish. The heritage area is designed to preserve local historic, cultural, natural and recreational resources while enhancing economic opportunities in the region through tourism. The Atchafalaya Trace Commission was created to oversee the planning and implementation of the Atchafalaya Trace Heritage Area. One of the outcomes of this program is the Atchafalaya Trace Heritage Area Development Zone, which was created to offer a $750 tax credit for each employee added to a heritage-based business. Heritage based businesses with no more than 20 employees would be eligible for this incentive.

Goal 5.6: Expand and enhance heritage based tourism opportunities.

Objective A: Promote St. Mary Parish as offering a wide variety of tourism opportunities.

Objective B: Promote the unique cultural heritage of the region as a tourist attraction.

Objective C: Create cultural tourism opportunities by marketing the history of the parish and other themes of potential interest.

Action 5.6.1: Work with Cajun Coast Visitors and Convention Bureau in implementing the strategies outlined in the 2001-2002 marketing plan.

Action 5.6.2: Implement strategies outlined in the Bayou Teche Scenic Byway Corridor Management Plan including developing programs and projects that reflect the unique and authentic Cajun heritage of the area and facilitating heritage conservation and education.

Action 5.6.3: Educate heritage based businesses on the Atchafalaya Trace Heritage Area and the programs and tax incentives available through this initiative.

Action 5.6.4: Support and implement the strategies in the Atchafalaya Trace Heritage Area Management Plan.

Action 5.6.5: Support and provide the necessary infrastructure, planning and management for the proposed Cypress Sawmill and Aviation Museum near Kemper Williams Park.

Action 5.6.6: Develop distinctive directional signage and a coordinated way finding system for key attractions and sites in the Parish.

Action 5.6.7: Utilize water front property near Lake End Park for an entertainment complex that would include restaurants and live music celebrating local heritage, culture and cuisine.

Action 5.6.8: Develop guided parish wide tours of historic sites and attractions.

Action 5.6.9: Encourage the development of a variety of accommodation options including hotels/motels, cabins and bed and breakfasts.

Action 5.6.10: Implement the goals identified in the Destination Vision Report.

Attracting Tournaments, Special Events and Conventions

Hosting sports tournaments, special events and conventions would enhance and expand tourism opportunities in the Parish. These events draw large numbers of supporters and followers who contribute significantly to the local and regional economy through airfares, rental cars, overnight accommodations, meals and entertainment.

Residents have expressed the desire to enhance event based tourism in the Parish, including hosting sports tournaments. To host sports events and tournaments, adequate facilities and accommodations are needed. The Parish should identify criteria needed to host tournaments and determine the capacity and ability of existing facilities to accommodate such events.

Additionally, the Parish should continue to market the region for family reunions, RV rallies, conferences and other special events and festivals. To accommodate these events, facilities needed include a variety of accommodation options, transportation/shuttle services, meeting/gathering facilities and entertainment and restaurant uses. Adequately meeting these needs would increase the opportunity of hosting these events and the number of visitors to the Parish.

Goal 5.7: Expand tourism opportunities in the region through enhancing the Parish's ability to host tournaments, special events and conventions.

Objective A: Promote St. Mary Parish as a site for special events, conferences and tournaments.

Objective B: Enhance and expand tourism related facilities (hotels, public transportation, meeting facilities) and infrastructure to accommodate special events and tournaments.

Action 5.7.1: Encourage the development of lodging facilities including hotels/motels, bed and breakfasts, cabins and camps, campgrounds, RV parks and other stay options.

Action 5.7.2: Encourage the development of additional quality eating and drinking establishments with festive entertainment unique to the Cajun Coast.

Action 5.7.3: Determine the feasibility of hosting baseball/softball and other athletic tournaments in the Parish including the facilities and requirements necessary to meet the criteria of the United States Specialty Sports Association (USSSA), including the Louisiana USSSA, and other leagues and associations.

Action 5.7.4: Monitor capacity and use levels of recreation facilities to determine future needs.

Action 5.7.5: Expand the Patterson Civic Center to include meeting rooms to accommodate more than 150 people for special events and conferences such as R.V. rallies.

Action 5.7.6: Ensure appropriate services and facilities are available for reunions including a variety of accommodation options, restaurants, catering facilities, transportation/shuttle services and meeting/gathering facilities.

Action 5.7.7: Support the development of the proposed lodge and conference center at Lake End Park.

Action 5.7.8: Coordinate with USSSA in meeting their criteria, with regards to accommodations and facilities in hosting tournaments.

Action 5.7.9: Reestablish the speed boat races at Lake End Park.

Maintenance and Enhancement of Existing Park Facilities

Continued enhancement and ongoing maintenance of existing facilities is essential to ensure that parks and recreation facilities are an asset to the region. All facilities will require routine maintenance and repairs while some will require additional facilities and improvements such as new play equipment, bike racks, walking trails and tennis courts. As increased demand is placed on the park system, facilities and equipment will need to be replaced and refurbished. As improvements are made, there will be opportunities to enhance the appearance and attractiveness of the facilities and structures.

Goal 5.8: Continuously maintain and enhance the existing parks and recreation grounds, facilities, equipment and improvements.

Objective A: Develop and implement a formalized parks and recreation improvement program, which prioritizes improvements for each of the current and future parish facilities.

Objective B: Improve the maintenance of all parks and recreation areas and facilities by preparing preventative maintenance schedules and securing increased funding, as necessary.

Objective C: Provide for a variety of recreational opportunities including cultural and community activities and special events that meet the passive and active recreational needs of the parish.

Action 5.8.1: Prioritize improvements of existing parks and recreation facilities identified by the Parish based upon criteria such as safety hazards, level of use, and other practical operating and maintenance criteria. SECTION II - Action 5.8.2 is hereby amended as follows: 

Action 5.8.2: Implement the following planned improvements: 

Jesse Fontenot Memorial Boat Landing

• Extend and elevate the peninsula to protect the boat launch from high water

• Provide additional parking

North Bend Landing

• Construct new boat ramps

• Provide additional parking

Kemper Williams Park

• Construct a youth baseball field

• Develop an 18-hole golf course

• Create canoe and walking trails

Bayou Vista

• Renovate the community center

• Build an addition to the community center

Schwan Park

• Add picnic pavilions, playground equipment and benches

Verdunville Park

• Add one full length outdoor basketball court

• Add one half-length outdoor basketball court

Amelia Community Center

• Construct a walking/nature trail

Wilson's Boat Landing

• Provide additional parking

• Provide additional boat ramps

• Dredge the basin for adequate depth

Burns Point

• Improve the boat launch

• Replace the bulkhead for shoreline protection

St. Joseph

• Acquire additional land

• Build a community building

Herbert Washington Park

• Add horseshoe pits and a shuffleboard area

Elizabeth Davis Park

• Build a community building

Millet Boat Landing

• Provide additional boat ramps

• Construct a parking lot, restrooms and caretaker facilities

• Dredge the basin for adequate depth

Joe C. Russo Memorial Park

• Provide additional parking

• Develop staging area to accommodate large tournaments

• Expand launch facilities

• Include additional Corps of Engineers' recommendations

(Ord. No. 1571, § II, 4-9-03)

Action 5.8.3: Initiate the short-, mid- and long-term improvements to existing parks and recreation facilities.

Action 5.8.4: Conduct a formalized annual condition assessment of existing parks and recreation areas and facilities to identify improvements and determine the level of annual financial commitment required to adequately maintain existing facilities.

Action 5.8.5: Create a replacement program for play ground equipment where equipment is annually inspected and added to a five year capital improvements plan.

Action 5.8.6: Ensure adequate staff and funding is available for park maintenance.

Action 5.8.7: Increase parks maintenance staff concurrent with new and expanded facilities to ensure adequate maintenance and quality facilities.

Action 5.8.8: Establish a "Friends-of-the-Park" program to solicit neighborhood involvement in maintaining and policing public parks.

Action 5.8.9: Expand and enhance existing recreation programs and facilities to meet the needs of the mature and younger populations.

Action 5.8.10: Improve Schwan Park to include picnic tables, playground equipment and benches.

Action 5.8.11: Improve the Bringing Back the Neighborhood Park between Baldwin and Charenton to include ball fields and playground equipment.

Action 5.8.12: Improve access for fishing, hunting and boating through additional boat ramps and guided tours throughout the Atchafalaya Basin and the Parish.

Action 5.8.13: Develop a coordinated system of access points along the Bayou Teche corridor.

Safe and Efficient Network of Bicycle and Pedestrian Facilities

A system of trails and bicycle lanes that link major attractions including parks, schools, residential areas, commercial centers and public facilities will provide for a safe and efficient means of transportation and contribute to the recreational needs of the region. Pedestrian and bicycle facilities should be designed and constructed in compliance with the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

GOAL 5.9: Develop a pedestrian and bicycle network of sidewalks, trails and bikeways that connect neighborhoods to other activity areas and destinations.

Objective A: Identify potential greenbelt corridors, bicycle and pedestrian trails and routes and linear parks that can provide a safe and secure connection between parks, schools, neighborhoods and open spaces.

Objective B: Identify and utilize rights-of-way, easements and natural drainage courses for nature trails to link the Parish's parks and recreation areas.

Objective C: Implement policies and procedures to acquire recreational easements and/or rights-of-way at an early stage in the development process.

Action 5.9.1: Establish incentives for development adjacent to Bayou Teche to dedicate a recreation easement for public use.

Action 5.9.2: Develop additional public access sites along the Bayou Teche and Atchafalaya River.

Action 5.9.3: Acquire land or secure easements along Bayou Teche as well as other natural corridors that may be used as connectors between parks.

Action 5.9.4: Coordinate with owners of utility easements and rights-of-way for pedestrian and bicycle use.

Action 5.9.5: Designate appropriate arterial, collector and residential streets that are suitable for bicycle traffic.

Provide and Fund Additional Parks and Recreation Facilities

As the Parish develops and the population increases in the future, the Parish will be required to maintain and enhance the existing facilities while providing for additional new parks and recreational improvements in newly developing areas. Neighborhood, community and regional parks should be planned for and evenly distributed throughout the Parish. The Parish must also address the means by which it will acquire parks and open space, trails and linkages through public/private partnerships, donation, dedication requirements concurrent with subdivision approval, fees-in-lieu of land, lease agreements, and/or fee simple acquisition.

Goal 5.10: Provide a diverse blend of parks and recreation opportunities to adequately accommodate the current and future needs of St. Mary Parish residents.

Objective A: Develop an even distribution of parks and recreation facilities that will provide equitable opportunity and access for all citizens.

Objective B: Provide parks and recreation opportunities for all persons including low-income, elderly and youth-at-risk citizens, recognizing the importance of accessible public facilities.

Objective C: Identify ways to finance park facilities and improvements, including local financing mechanisms, state and federal grants and loans and private dedication and fees.

Objective D: Establish cooperative agreements and coordinated efforts with other governmental jurisdictions, educational bodies and private sector entities.

Action 5.10.1: Acquire and develop neighborhood and community parks in the identified deficient areas, as shown on the Parks and Recreation System Plan.

Action 5.10.2: Acquire and develop 131 acres of neighborhood and community parks to meet the needs of the population in the Year 2020.

Action 5.10.3: Continue with the development of a park in the Centerville area to include baseball/softball fields, picnic pavilions and walking trails.

Action 5.10.4: Identify all potential funding sources, including Federal, State and Parish programs and revenue sources such as fees, exactions, fee-in-lieu of lands, etc.

Action 5.10.5: Include parks and recreations facilities improvements in a five year capital improvements plan.

Action 5.10.6: Develop corporate, memorial and individual sponsorships with naming privileges for facilities, parks, trails and greenbelts.

Action 5.10.7: Apply for funding through the Atchafalaya Basin program for improvements related to recreation and public access.

Inter-city and Inter-governmental Coordination

Coordination with the municipalities in the Parish will be imperative to create an integrated parks and recreation system and to enhance and market the various tourism opportunities found in the region. Additionally, coordination with different agencies including the Cajun Coast Visitors and Convention Bureau and the Louisiana Office of Tourism will promote tourism and benefit the entire region. Working with U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services and the Department of Natural Resources will also be important in preserving natural areas that may be used for nature based tourism opportunities. Consideration may also be given to coordinating with neighboring parishes and communities in marketing complementary tourist attractions in different regions. For example, communities along the Bayou Teche Scenic Byway may coordinate in marketing unique cultural and tourism related attractions relative to their region.

Goal 5.11: Enhance and market tourism opportunities in the Parish through inter-agency and inter-governmental coordination.

Objective A: Coordinate with appropriate agencies and municipalities in promoting St. Mary Parish as a primary tourist destination.

Action 5.11.1: Partner with the Visitors and Convention Bureau and local municipalities in developing and implementing a hospitality training program.

Action 5.11.2: Coordinate with CCVCB to enhance promotion of St. Mary Parish as a tourist destination.

Action 5.11.3: Coordinate with the CCVCB and the Department of Natural Resources in promoting the Atchafalaya Trace Program.

Action 5.11.4: Coordinate with U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Trust for Public Land in continued protection of the Black Bear Habitat in St. Mary Parish.

Action 5.11.5: Develop a unified tourism marketing program with the municipalities and agencies in the Parish and adjoining parishes.

Action 5.11.6: Continue to market the Parish as a destination for heritage, eco- and event based tourism.

Action 5.11.7: Continue to advertise in the Louisiana Tour Guide and other forms of media.

Action 5.11.8: Continue to participate in the Cooperative Advertising Program offered by the state, which will increase awareness of local tourism opportunities through advertising in national publications.

Action 5.11.9: Market the Parish's attractions through banner ads on the weather channel, Louisiana USSSA and Travelocity websites and through advertising in magazines and travel guides.

Action 5.11.10: Consider having visitor kiosks in malls and other high traffic areas in the Parish.

Goal 5.12: Enhance the parks and recreation system through inter-agency and inter-governmental coordination.

Objective A: Coordinate with appropriate agencies and municipalities to enhance the parks and recreation system in the Parish.

Action 5.12.1: Establish cooperative agreements with developers and landowners to develop parkland in newly developing residential areas. This may include the dedication of parkland that would be maintained by the Parish.

Action 5.12.2: Foster mutually beneficial relationships with the school districts to include not only joint acquisition of land, but joint use of both school, municipal and parish facilities.

Action 5.12.3: Establish cooperative agreements with municipalities for joint acquisition and maintenance of parks in the Parish.

Action 5.12.4: Develop joint service provisions through inter-governmental agreements for zoning/regulation, economic development programs, tourism and schools.

NATURAL RESOURCES

In developing a comprehensive plan, an understanding of the characteristics and processes of the regional natural environment is essential. St. Mary Parish includes over six hundred miles of intercoastal waterways, swamp and marsh lands, rivers and bayous, wetlands, floodplains, and wildlife preservation areas. This presents unique opportunities as well as challenges in planning the future of the parish. Protecting these resources is critical in sustaining the natural environment and protecting the health, safety, and welfare of the residents of St. Mary Parish.

Existing Natural Resources

Approximately 44 percent of St. Mary Parish is undeveloped, consisting of marsh (no trees) and swamp (forested wetlands, generally cypress or cypress-tupelo). Forty-two percent of the parish consists of rights-of-way and water, i.e., the Atchafalaya River, the Wax Lake Outlet, associated bayous (natural), and canals and bays along the coastline (this does not include water or roads located within municipalities).

The Atchafalaya River dominates the parish relative to water and wetlands, accounting for the majority of the land cover. The Atchafalaya system, which consists of the Basin; the Atchafalaya River and its associated outlets (the main channel and the Wax Lake Outlet); marsh and swamp south of the Teche Ridge; and bays (Atchafalaya Bay, East Cote Blanche Bay, and West Cote Blanche Bay), forms a landscape that is very unique to the region and the State of Louisiana. The Atchafalaya Basin is the largest riverine swamp in the United States, covering more than 800,000 acres within the manmade levee system. The basin not only provides a productive ecosystem and critical wildlife habitat, but also serves as a major Mississippi River flood control feature within the jurisdiction of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. From its northernmost point at the Old River Structure, to Morgan City and the southern end, the spillway is approximately 100 miles in length, and its average width is roughly 15 miles. The Gulf Intracoastal Waterway traverses the parish intersecting the Atchafalaya River, the Wax Lake Outlet, the Bayou Sale ridge, and the Bayou Cypremort ridge.

Due to regional flood prevention management by the United States government, manmade levees and other flood control structures such as locks, floodgates, and floodwalls dominate the landscape. Pumps control much of the drainage system within St. Mary Parish. This human influence on the Atchafalaya Basin to relieve pressure on the Mississippi River, and to prevent the Atchafalaya from capturing the main channel of the Mississippi River at Old River, has resulted in sedimentation at the mouth of the Atchafalaya River and the Wax Lake Outlet to form two of the largest and fastest growing river deltas on earth. These deltas, which continue to grow, are the focus of international study and provide habitat for an abundance of wildlife. The Atchafalaya Delta is managed by the Corps of Engineers to maintain a navigable channel, whereas the Wax Lake Delta remains in its natural state.

The effects of the Atchafalaya River and the proximity of St. Mary Parish to the Gulf of Mexico result in the composition of the southern reaches of the parish. The land cover in this region consists of swamp and marsh, while natural and manmade waterways permeate the generally flat landscape. This area contains some of the most fertile estuaries in the nation, providing critical habitat areas for an assortment of animal and plant species.

Additional noteworthy landscapes include the parish's designated areas for the protection and management of wildlife species, including Attakapas Wildlife Management Area, the Atchafalaya Wildlife Management Area, the Bayou Teche National Wildlife Refuge, and Cypremort State Park.

TOURISM

Recent tourism trends have shown that visitors are increasingly interested in heritage and ecotourism opportunities. With its location along the coast, abundance of natural resources and its rich cultural heritage, St. Mary Parish presents a range of opportunities for heritage and ecotourism. Additionally, parks and recreational facilities in the Parish contribute to attracting visitors to the parish and present opportunities to host events, conferences, tournaments and festivals.

Enhancing and developing new tourism opportunities in the Parish, making it a primary destination for travelers, would attract more visitors and contribute to expanding the local tourism economy.

Key Tourism Opportunities

Entertainment Complex

There is a need for evening entertainment uses to accommodate travelers and visitors staying overnight in the Parish. An opportunity exists for the use of waterfront property near Lake End Park for entertainment and restaurant uses. These uses should reflect local Cajun culture, heritage and cuisine. An entertainment complex would complement existing plans for the area including the proposed lodge and conference center.

Birding/Wildlife Watching and Viewing

Wildlife viewing and birding has become a very popular recreational activity across the nation. The unique landscape of the Atchafalaya Basin, the Atchafalaya Delta and Attakapas Wildlife Management Areas, Bayou Teche National Wildlife Refuge, Cypremort State Park and the many rivers, bayous and lakes all provide excellent opportunities for viewing birds and wildlife. The Atchafalaya Basin consists of a system of forested wetlands, swamps, lakes and bayous that provide habitat for a variety of fish and wildlife. Over 300 different species of birds can be found in the Basin. With increased access to natural areas in the Parish, birding and wildlife viewing can be a key attraction for visitors. The Parish should work with U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services and other appropriate agencies to improve public access to the Atchafalaya Delta and Attakapas Wildlife Management Areas and the Bayou Teche National Wildlife Refuge. Trails, cabins and guided tours in these natural areas will help attract and meet the needs of nature tourists.

Key management goals of the Bayou Teche National Wildlife Refuge include protection of the black bear habitat, providing quality sport fishing opportunities, habitats for a diversity of wildlife and opportunities for environmental education, interpretation and wildlife oriented recreation. The Parish should support and facilitate the development of an interpretive center at the Bayou Teche National Wildlife Refuge, which will provide educational and interpretive opportunities that many nature tourists seek.

The Parish should also work with the Louisiana Department of Culture, Recreation and Tourism in providing wildlife and birding programs and educational opportunities at Cypermort State Park. One of the missions of the Office of State Parks is to serve the people of Louisiana and their visitors by "Portraying and interpreting plant and animal life, geology, and all other natural features and processes included in the various state parks".

Historical Tours

St. Mary Parish is rich in history and culture. There are numerous historical and archeological sites located throughout the Parish that serve as key attractions for visitors to the region. Through improved directional signage and way finding, coordination with municipalities and businesses, and through guided tours, the Parish could attract heritage tourists and increase the number of visitors to the region.

Impacts of Tourism on the Economy

Heritage tourism is the fastest growing product type in the United States, with 92.5 million adult Americans visiting a museum or historic site or attending a cultural presentation while traveling: that's 46 percent of the 199.8 million trips taken over 50 miles away from home in 1998. The Travel Industry of America reports that this $61.5 billion market grows at an average annual rate of 10 percent, while the $439 billion tourism industry as a whole is growing at a rate fluctuating between 4 and 6 percent. In ever-increasing numbers, educated and affluent travelers seek out experiences that embody historic, cultural, natural and learning themes. Visiting a historic site such as a historic community or building was the most popular cultural activity among travelers (31 percent), followed by visiting a museum (24 percent), visiting an art gallery (15 percent) and seeing live theater (14 percent).

What's more interesting is that travelers extend their length of stay to take advantage of the opportunity to experience a cultural/heritage tourism destination or event. Of the 92.4 million travelers that included a cultural activity while on a trip during the past year, 29 percent (26.7 million adults) added extra time to their trip because of this cultural activity or event. Of those 26.7 million travelers who added time: 

• 61 percent added part of one day

• 30 percent added one night

• 5 percent added two extra nights

• 4 percent added three or more extra nights

Given the time spent in a destination correlates directly to economic impact, the benefits of offering travelers quality tourism experiences is clear. While cultural and historic travelers resemble the visitor population in both gender profile (50 percent men and 50 percent women) and life stage (50 percent have children under 18 living at home), they differ in a number of significant ways. They are more likely to: 

• Have higher household incomes: $48,000 vs. $37,000 with a higher proportion earning between $75,000 and $150,000

• Have completed college: 41 percent vs. 32 percent

• Hold a graduate degree: 21 percent vs. 18 percent

• Have managerial or professional occupations: 31 percent vs. 24 percent

• Be married: 67 percent vs. 61 percent

• Be retired: 21 percent vs. 18 percent

The economic impact associated with cultural/eco/heritage tourists is impressive relative to the general traveling public as well. Cultural/heritage travelers: 

• Stay longer (4.7 nights vs. 3.3 nights)

• Spend more ($615 per trip vs. $425 per trip)

• Spend over $1,000 on their trip (17 percent vs. 11 percent)

• Shop (45 percent vs. 33 percent)

Cultural, eco- and heritage travelers make challenging visitors: they know their history and, as more sophisticated visitors, they bring higher expectations and increased scrutiny to their vacation experience. However, they reward quality experiences with repeat visits and enthusiastic word-of-mouth recommendations.

Tourism in the Parish

Man, Nature and Technology

The majority of land cover in St. Mary Parish is wetlands, both swamp and marsh. And, while Louisiana's coastal areas are losing a net 25 to 35 square miles of wetland habitat each year, St. Mary Parish is gaining land. With two of the newest and fastest growing river deltas on earth in this one parish, the active geology of the region offers excellent unique opportunities for visitation to the region by not only tourists, but also by research scientists from around the world. Additionally, fishing and hunting harvest in the delta areas are bountiful. Up to three-fourths of the ducks in the Mississippi River flyway pass through or winter on the deltas, and redfish and speckled trout catches are abundant.

In 2001, trips by only one university scientist to the deltas with research, government, and university groups were documented from as more than thirty. Students and research scientists alone accounted for those trips. Combined with the hundreds of acres of swamp and marsh lands, the rich cultural heritage exhibited by the historical homes (more than 400 historical sites just in Franklin), the vast array of bayous, and the complexities of the industrially based oil and gas industry, building upon the region's ability to exhibit the balance of man and nature in harmony is a theme worthy of consideration.

Regional Attractions

Several major attractions in the parish offer significance as constituting the critical mass necessary for the parish to continue as a secondary tourist draw off the New Orleans and Lafayette magnets. As these attractions develop more fully, they could likely create primary draw status.

While a relatively recent addition to the parish, the Cypress Bayou Casino owned and operated by the Chitimacha tribe, has become a tourist attraction in itself. The 283 acres of tribal lands have also become a regional and national attraction.

Add to this setting the culturally scenic Bayou Teche, the environmentally dynamic and productive Atchafalaya Basin, the forces of the Atchafalaya River, the swampscape of the Attakapas Island Wildlife Management Area, and the emerging deltas of the Atchafalaya Wildlife Management Area, the region collectively offers dynamics not measurable elsewhere in the region or state. Access to the basin, the river, Attakapas Island, and the deltas is made convenient by multiple public boat landings in St. Mary Parish. Whether it is birding, sightseeing, fishing, hunting, or a combination of the above, the parish is ideally suited for delving into an ever-expanding role of ecotourism-both nature and culturally based.

In an effort to capture the essence of the swampland habitat and its historical use by man, the City of Morgan City preserved three acres of indigenous swamp in the middle of town. Today, the site is known as the Morgan City Swamp Gardens. It features cypress and tupelo gum stands, alligators and other native animals and plants, and includes cultural settings such as a swamper's houseboat, a crawfishing display, an oilfield structure, and manikins depicting swamp Cajuns, Tarzan, and an oilfield worker.

Along this vein, other existing and proposed features offer an expanding view of ecotourism potential in the parish. Along Lake Palourde (Palourde in French means 'clam') north of Morgan City is Lake End Park. The 43-acre facility is located adjacent to the Atchafalaya Basin levee right-of-way and has been in existence as a public recreational facility since 1875. The park, as the site of the filming of the first Tarzan movie in 1917, consists of RV sites, a beach, ready accessibility to fishing (by boat or along the banks), playground equipment, large open areas, pavilions, picnic areas, a mile long walking path, birds and wildlife, and hundreds of decades old, moss draped cypress and oak trees.

Just a mile north of Lake End Park is the Brownell Memorial Park and Carillon tower. The structure rises above the cypress swamp in sharp contract to its surroundings. Bells toll popular musical renditions regularly, and, on special occasions such as holidays, music of the holiday seasons. While the tower is actually located just beyond the St. Mary Parish line, its orientation along Lake Palourde within site of Lake End Park make the park and carillon tower two major linked attractions in the area.

In late 2001 along the Lake Palourde shoreline, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, in concert with the Louisiana Department of Natural Resources Atchafalaya Basin Program, the St. Mary Parish Government, and the City of Morgan City, joined to create 50 acres of new land along Lake Palourde's LA Hwy. 70 shoreline. The area is known as Lake End Parkway. This new land is destined for 50 to 100 new RV sites, approximately 20 cabins, additional beach and picnic areas, a swimming pool, and fishing piers. A bicycle and pedestrian path is also proposed along the parkway. It will be an extension of the existing path in Morgan City which begins in the eastern end of Morgan City connecting much of the city to the pathway at Lake End Park. The parkway trail will then connect Lake End Park to the carillon tower as it generally parallels the lakeshore. Engineering plans and specifications for the public-sector parkway developments are scheduled to begin in the summer of 2002. On the private side, conceptual layout plans have been drawn for a lodge and small conference center on the parkway land. Once completed, the Lake End Park and Parkway facilities will encompass nearly 100 acres of lakeshore recreational development. Annual visitation at the existing Lake End Park is estimated by city recreation staff at 90,000 visitors.

Two other outdoor recreation sites with regional importance are the Burns Point Park and Campground along the coast at the end of LA Hwy. 317. The park includes camper hookups, a boat ramp, picnic areas, and bank fishing opportunities. Cypremort Point is a state park also located on the bay. The park is at the end of LA Hwy 319. It too has RV sites, picnic areas, and boat ramp facilities. Several cabins are proposed for the park in the near future according to Culture, Recreation, and Tourism representatives.

Continuing with Atchafalaya Basin initiatives, a 90-acre site across the highway from Lake End Park, is designated as the site for the main Atchafalaya Basin Nature and Cultural Center. Part of the facility, which has been called the AMAC Center (Atchafalaya Multi-agency Cultural Center) is currently proposed as a Corps of Engineers Type A Regional Visitors Center with a supplemental living exhibit depicting the plants and animals of the basin in naturally defined ecosystems of the Atchafalaya. Cultural exhibits depicting the history and lifestyles of the region's inhabitants from the Chitimachas to the Cajuns and the economic diversity of the Atchafalaya River system including the oil and gas related industries are anticipated. This facility, in itself, will be an attraction with local, parish, regional, state, and federal drawing power. University and state and federal agency participation in a research base to include a research support lab, boat storage and docking, and accommodations are also anticipated as a separate but related facility. As noted, the basin and the deltas are presently the subject of regional, national, and international investigation and research. The Louisiana State University School of Veterinary Medicine has also shown interest in using the 90-acre site as an outdoor rehabilitation facility.

Continuing with the ecotourism and environmental bent toward tourism, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) and the Trust for Public Land have purchased 9,000 acres of land in St. Mary Parish for the Black Bear Habitat. Cooperative agreements indicate that the USFWS will protect and manage habitat in this area known as the Bayou Teche National Wildlife Refuge.

Add to these natural, cultural, and historic aspects of tourism interests the vast acreages and activities of the oil and gas industrial resources and the link or balance between man and nature become prominent. From the Berwick and Morgan City waterfronts along the Atchafalaya River and extending along the GIWW eastward along Bayou Boeuf, more than twenty miles of waterfront industry catering to the commercial boating and oil and gas industries exists. Though the industrial acreage sags somewhat less than 100 percent occupied, the area remains one of the most productive waterfronts along the Louisiana Gulf coast. Miles of ship building and repair facilities dot the landscape side by side with small and large scale oilfield fabrication facilities. The view from the Bayou Boeuf Bridge alone is inspiring, particularly when one of the largest oilfield structures on the planet is being constructed. Visitors often gape at the site of dozens of towering cranes and human-dwarfing pipes and structures that make up the everyday activities of the industry.

When considered that this industry exists side by side with the environmentally sensitive wetland habitat of the coastal region, the harmony that exists between nature and man is evident. While not always realized, particularly in the earliest years of oil and gas exploration, the demand for this balance has become more prevalent. In any case, the critical mass of oil and gas industry in this wetland setting is considered a major landscape feature in the region, one that has shown tourists interest in the recent past.

Cultural Attractions

The Chitimacha reservation and its cultural exhibits and the Atchafalaya Basin Nature and Cultural Center proposed along the Basin just north of Morgan City are two major cultural facilities in the parish that have been noted previously. Additionally, three other museums also constitute unique opportunities to expand upon tourism and issues unique to the area.

In Patterson, the Wedell-Williams Memorial Aviation Museum (W-W) is located at the Harry P. Williams Memorial Airport. The museum is the state's official aviation museum; and it is owned and operated through the Louisiana Department of Culture, Recreation, and Tourism through its Office of State Museum. Soon to join the W-W museum as a tandem facility is the Patterson Cypress Sawmill Museum. The latest plan is to relocate the aviation museum and construct one large facility to house both the aviation museum and the Cypress Sawmill Museum to the Kemper Williams Park near Patterson. The Kemper Williams Park is also the site of a proposed 18-hole golf course.

A third museum is the International Petroleum Museum and Exposition. The facility is actually the Mr. Charlie, the first oilrig in the world to drill for oil out of sight of land. The facility is a working museum as it is often used for training of offshore industry employees. The structure is docked along the Atchafalaya River at Morgan City and is fully operational with lodging and galley accommodations.

Other large-scale, multi-day cultural events relative to the tourist industry in the parish are the Shrimp and Petroleum Festival (S&P), the Cypress Sawmill Festival, and, in the past, power boat races. The S&P Festival is held on Labor Day weekend (Friday through Monday) and is the oldest chartered festival in the state. The Cypress Sawmill Festival is held in early spring and lasts three days. Power boat races, in the 1960's and 1970's, were major regional attractions with the association occasionally hosting national events. With the redevelopment of the Lake Palourde shoreline, a major emphasis is being placed on returning powerboat racing to Lake Palourde and St. Mary Parish.

Archeological

Within St. Mary Parish, 158 state-recognized archaeological sites exist. Most relate to evidence of Chitimacha habitation including shell middens and pottery shards. Seven additional sites within the boundaries of the parish are being processed. Approximately 85 percent of the total sites are situated along banks of rivers and bayous in the parish. Of these, the majority are along the Atchafalaya River, Bayou Sale, Bayou Cypremort, Bayou Teche, and Bayou Shaffer.

PARKS AND RECREATION OPPORTUNITIES

A comprehensive and integrated system of parks and recreation opportunities that responds to the needs and values of the region's residents is an essential part of a quality living environment. A well planned, funded, and managed system of parks, trails and recreation facilities will help the Parish to attract and sustain quality development, contribute to improved community health, provide a variety of active and passive recreational activities, and will help to preserve and enhance the quality of the natural environment. Parks and recreation facilities are also a significant attraction for visitors, which contribute to local tourism and economic development.

Existing Parks and Recreation System

This section includes an evaluation of the Parish's existing parks and recreation system and future needs to accommodate the projected population. The Parish is currently served by a system of parks and recreational facilities that provide for a range of recreation opportunities for residents and visitors. As shown in Table 5.1 and Figure 5.1 - Existing Parks and Recreation Facilities, there are 265 acres of recreation facilities in the unincorporated areas of the Parish. This includes 243 acres of community parks (including Kemper Williams Park) and 12 acres of neighborhood parks. Centerville Tennis Courts and Burns Point are special use facilities that also contribute to recreational needs in the region. There are four recreation districts in the Parish that operate and maintain parks and recreation facilities. A fifth recreation district is being proposed for the Sorrell/Glencoe area. In addition to the parks operated by the Parish or the recreational districts, there are parks in each of the cities as well as regional facilities including the Cypremort State Park, Lake End Park, Bayou Teche National Wildlife Refuge and Attakapas and Atchafalaya Delta Wildlife Management Areas that provide recreation opportunities for residents and visitors to the Parish. There are also 19 boat launches located throughout the Parish, which provide access to the rivers, bayous, lakes and other water course.

Table 5.1
Existing Parks and Recreation Facilities

Figure 5-1 Existing Parks and Recreational Facilities

Parks and Recreation Development Standards

Standards provide a measure for determining the amount of parks, recreation and open space needed to meet the current and projected future demands. Parks and recreation standards are usually expressed in terms of acres of land dedicated for parks, recreation and open space use per unit of population. While general standards are useful, it is important to establish standards that are based on unique local considerations such as participation trends, user characteristics, demographics, climate and natural environment. Values related to recreation are unique to each jurisdiction, so the standards should represent the interests of local park users.

The National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) published the Recreation, Park and Open Space Standards and Guidelines to establish nationally applicable standards for the provision of parks and recreation facilities and open space. These standards serve as a general guide for parks and recreation planning in St. Mary Parish.

Park Classification System and Development Standards

A variety of sizes and types of parks and recreation facilities and activities are recommended to satisfy diverse individual interests, ensure adequate and equal opportunity, and ultimately encourage use by all population groups. The suggested standards from the National Recreation and Park Association are illustrated in Table 5.2 - NRPA Development Standards. As noted, the system of mini, neighborhood, community, linear and special use parks are outlined along with the description of desirable size and service population.

Table 5.2
NRPA Development Standards

Source: National Recreation and Park Association, 1987

Existing Resources vs. Projected Needs

Utilizing the standards established by the National Recreation and Parks Association (NRPA) as a measurable benchmark, the acreage of parks and recreation areas needed in St. Mary Parish is displayed in the Table 5.3 - Existing Needs.

Based upon a 2000 population of 20,398 persons in the unincorporated areas of the Parish, according to national standards, the Parish should have a range between 127 acres and 214 acres of parks and recreation areas, as shown in Table 5.3. Currently, there is a total of 224 acres (excluding special use facilities).

Table 5.3
Existing Needs

Displayed in Table 5.4 - Park Resources Versus Demand is a tabulation of the existing supply of parks, the recommended supply and the level of sufficiency or deficiency.

The Parish is currently deficient in the provision of mini and neighborhood parks. Displayed in Table 5.4 is a calculation of the existing supply of parks, the recommended supply, and the number of acres that the Parish is sufficient or deficient.

To meet the demand of a projected population of 23,451 persons in Year 2020, the Parish will need 12 acres of mini parks, 35 acres of neighborhood parks, and 152 acres of community parks for a total of 196 acres.

Future anticipated growth and the nature and location of this growth will dictate the necessity to expand and provide increasing acres of land dedicated for parks and recreation use. Based upon projected populations of 23,451 persons in the unincorporated portions of the Parish in the Year 2020, St. Mary Parish will need a total inventory of 196 acres. Overall, the parish currently exceeds total acreage needed to satisfy the estimated projected demand. However, the parish's existing acreage of parks includes Kemper Williams Park (190 acres), a good portion of which consists of R.V. campsites. Campgrounds are considered special use facilities and are not usually accounted for in determining neighborhood and community park needs. The Parish will need to acquire and develop an additional 12 acres of mini parks and 23 acres of neighborhood parks by the Year 2020.

Table 5.4
Park Resources Versus Demand

Service Areas

Evaluating service areas is an effective means of identifying geographic areas that have sufficient park land and to identify those areas in need of additional parks and recreation facilities. As shown in Figure 5.2 - Community and Neighborhood Park Service Areas, community parks have a primary service area of one mile, while neighborhood parks have a service area of 1/4 mile. In addition to the neighborhood parks are the 1/4-mile service areas of the community parks as they serve as neighborhood parks for the adjacent neighborhoods. As shown, there are several unincorporated areas of the Parish that are not adequately served by community parks including the following communities; Caneland/Richard, Charenton, Sorrel, Katy, Centerville, Verdunville, Glenwild and Fairview.

Achieving a system of neighborhood and community parks that is uniformly distributed throughout the Parish may be accomplished in several ways, including pre-development acquisition by the parish, dedication requirements concurrent with subdivision approval, public/private partnerships, and other strategies. While the provision of community parks is generally agreed to be the responsibility of the government entity, there is much less certainty about the responsibility of the parish to provide parks for private development. The Parish should require the dedication of parkland concurrent with a final plat or a development site plan. This method assures adequate park areas consistent with the demand and impact placed on the public parks system by new development.

Joint Use of School Facilities

School playgrounds, athletic fields and courts provide additional park and recreation areas and, if accessible to the public, will enhance the number and availability of neighborhood parks within the parish. Through joint partnership, opportunities exist to utilize property owned by the School Districts. Use of school playgrounds increases the number and distribution of parks and recreation areas throughout the region. A reciprocal agreement could address joint purchase and the use and maintenance of school grounds and equipment, which may be mutually beneficial to the school districts and the Parish.

Figure 5-2a Neighborhood and Community Park Service Areas-Western Park

Figure 5-2b Neighborhood and Community Park Service Areas-Eastern Part

Parks and Recreation System Plan

The general plan for future development of the St. Mary Parish parks and recreation system was developed through evaluation of existing conditions, planned improvements and projected future needs based upon anticipated development and increases in population. A future plan for the development of parks and recreation areas is shown in the Figure 5.3 - Parks and Recreation System Plan. The plan shows the generalized location of proposed community parks.

The master plan will be a valuable resource that can be used on a continuous basis in guiding the Parish's parks and recreation development program. The goals, objectives, and recommended actions of the plan should be referenced in other planning studies and development proposal reports to ensure consideration of existing and planned public parks and recreation areas and open space. As new residential subdivisions are platted and developed, there should be allowances for sufficient land capable of being developed for public park and recreation uses.

Figure 5-3 Parks and Recreational System Plan