Parish Dedicates Lawtell Park

A 10-acre former Lawtell High School site scheduled to be transformed into a recreational park by St. Landry Parish was dedicated this week with a ribbon-cutting ceremony hosted by state and parish elected officials.

Officially named Eagles Nest Park and located alongside La. 35, the project will provide Lawtell-area residents with a place where they can enjoy various outdoor activities, according to parish president Jessie Bellard.

“We are planning to bring a better quality of life to an area that right now doesn’t have a chance to enjoy these types of activities,” Bellard said earlier this week.

The last graduating class at Lawtell High was in 1991 and an eagle was the school mascot. The school building was destroyed by fire shortly after the school was vacated.

Eagles Nest Park, Bellard has said, will include a walking trail and a youth-themed park.

An architectural concept drawing of the project shows areas with benches, youth playground equipment, a small pavilion and green spaces for a variety of outdoor activities.

The Eagles Nest ribbon-cutting announcement drew comments this week in posts made on the 1,050-member Lawtell High School alumni Facebook page.

Bellard indicated to the St. Landry Parish Council in 2024 that the Eagles Nest property now owned by the parish is financed with state grant money. The land was purchased last year from private land owner Ken Fakouri.

The Eagles Nest investment venture, scheduled to be completed sometime in 2026, is one of two projects that the parish has already begun in order to create more recreational areas parishwide, Bellard said in the press release.

“This is just the beginning of our vision to enhance recreational opportunities,” Bellard said..

The parish has also purchased the 101-acre former Indian Hills Country Club property that Bellard has indicated could be redesigned for softball, baseball and other activities in addition to golf.

In December Bellard met at the Country Club with Indian Hills-area residents and explained the potential purposes for the property previously owned by Opelousas New Life Church.