West Monroe, Louisiana

times regionally as best park, best place for children’s events, best venue,” says Hornsby. “It is certainly viewed as a regional draw, not just a local draw. We have been working on enhancing that with different programming and activities that will get people there. This spring, we are hoping to have a contract with a provider to do weekend kayak rentals for kayaking on our pond. If COVID has shown us anything, it’s that people feel a need to get outdoors and they want those experiences. That’s what we’ve been trying to focus on this year.” A main attraction of Kiroli Park is the Civitan Smiles Playground, an accessible park built through the donations of the West Monroe Civitan Club. The inclusive playground provides opportunities for children of all ages and abilities to play together and is one of the only parks of its kind in the state of Louisiana. Infrastructure improvements in the community include a focus on active transportation options that implement sidewalks on neighborhood streets, and bike lanes on major roadways. Hornsby notes, “We have a strong biking community. COVID really shone a light on that. A lot of our neighborhoods were bicycling, and that just showed another reason why bike paths are incredibly important. We’re working hard to identify grants and other dollars to support those efforts.” The city has also invested in the addition of a soft kayak launch in a park along the Ouachita River to allow kayakers access to the river. “We got a lot of positive feedback on that, and it wasn’t a terribly expensive venture,” adds Hornsby. “People are wanting those outdoor experiences and that was an easy way we were able to meet that need.” A recent addition of a recycling center has been a successful green project for West Monroe, offering residents a place to drop off and sort their recyclable items. And a non-profit organization, Ouachita Green, has a home in West Monroe’s Restoration Park – a former gravel pit and dump site. The park has been transformed into a wooded area, with an office used by the WEST MONROE , LOUI S I ANA