Council supports arboretum, garden project

A joint project now in the preliminary stages will transform the old Avenue F ball park site into an arboretum/botanical garden, and the city council unanimously approved a resolution in support of the project during its regular meeting Tuesday.

The approximately 3.5 acre softball park was dismantled and has remained unused since about a year ago, Judy Gray, arboretum project manager said Wednesday. The space is currently partially wooded and partially cleared.

Gray said the existing large trees would remain on-site, but additional trees and other plants would be added to make the property “a place where students, garden club members, master gardeners, forestry students, agriculture classes, 4-H club members and anyone else who is interested can become more educated about our native plant life.”

“We have applied for a tree grant from the Apache Tree Foundation for over 100 trees to be planted at the site,” she said. “And we already have a mature live oak donated from Money Hill Plantation that will be the centerpiece for the whole area.”

The Louisiana Department of Transportation has also committed to establishing a wildflower planting along the front of the site, said Gray.

She said she hopes to receive a decision on the ATF grant within the next couple of months. 

The project represents a partnership between the city, the LSU Ag Center Cooperative Extension Office, the Washington Parish Master Gardeners, Keep Washington Parish Beautiful and all the garden clubs located in the city as “a unified effort for our community,” Gray said in a letter to the council.

The project has been endorsed by state Sen. Ben Nevers, Rep. Harold Ritchie and Bogalusa Mayor Mack McGehee, she added.

On Wednesday, Gray said she is pleased the council acted in support of the “positive” joint project.

“I’m excited,” she said. “Everyone is excited.”