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Brown Park in Lafayette on track to reopen this fall
LAFAYETTE, La. (KLFY)-- Graham Brown Memorial Park in Lafayette will re-open in just a few short months. The renovation is likely to be completed by October.
Lafayette Consolidated Government gave an update on the renovation and heard lingering concerns from residents at a meeting Wednesday. The last meeting about Brown Park was back in March.
While residents were worried after previous plans to convert it into a mega sports complex were rejected, Wednesday's meeting eased people's minds.
"I think I'm very excited because this park will serve as a tournament park as well as a community park, which that is something we heard loud and clear from the people who live around here, from the stakeholders who use the park," Lafayette Mayor-President Monique Boulet said.
She said they took people's ideas and put them into action. Graham Brown Memorial Park, when finished, will have what the community asked for, including dog parks and walking trails as well as tennis, pickleball, basketball, baseball and t-ball.
"There's a lot of different elements here for the community to participate in, and really, what parks are for is to create a healthy, high quality of life. This park will do that for this part of town," Boulet added.
She added the biggest challenge for the city will be long-term maintenance and operation.
"We had a lot of questions tonight. You know, some people are nervous. They're not sure. But I think what we will see as the park finishes, and I think the engagement that this park will bring, will really be very encouraging to a lot of people," the mayor-president told News 10.
While there were concerns, people are excited about the renovated brown park and what's to come.
"I'm looking forward to seeing the eyes of those kids when they see the new park and just that they will be hopeful. So, I'm excited just for the kids because it's all about the kids first," Brown Park Association Board Member Curtis Milton, said.
As of right now, everything is on track for the park to open this fall.