Fundraiser supports improvements at Morey Park

PATTERSON — The Lower Atchafalaya Cultural Historic District Committee and Community Foundation of Acadiana held a wine social Thursday to inform the community about plans for Morey Park.

The purpose of the Partners of the Park fundraiser was to create public awareness of the plans to expand and renovate Morey Park in the downtown area of Main Street in Patterson, committee Chairperson Dawn Rentrop said.

This is the first fundraising event about initiatives in place to secure donations for the park’s renovation. Approximately $10,000 has been raised .

There is no campaign goal yet because planning is still in its infancy. The estimated cost for park renovations is $1.5 million to $1.8 million. But nothing has been finalized.

Plans the park were on display for public viewing.

“We’re going to open it up so that you can see the Lower Atchafalaya River, and you can watch the Tour de Teche come through,” Rentrop said.

“During Christmastime, you can stand on the dock and watch the Christmas Boat Lighting Parade, instead of trying to figure out where you can watch and see it.”

There are plans for a big pavilion in the back of the park with an area large enough for dancing. The area will also include amphitheater style seating.

In addition, there are plans to include lots of green space for playing games, such as volleyball.

“We’d like to see a big amphitheater in the back where you can have bands, family reunions, class reunions and meetings,” Rentrop said. “Maybe eventually even craft shows inside there where people can show their wares and sell them.”

Burk-Kleinpeter Inc. is the engineering firm handling the project.

There is no contractor assigned yet, said Ayad Toefik of Burk-Kleinpeter Inc.

Rentrop would like to see work started on the park by the first of next year. Because of financial constraints, the work will be done in stages and as money is available.

“The first thing they’ll probably do is clear out the back of the property and move towards the front,” Rentrop said “Once the hut is removed, they’ll be receiving the floating dock where it’ll be attached to the property.”

A long-standing Boy Scout hut used by Troop 41, originally built in the park, will be moved across the street. There was discussion among the committee about the hut but it did not fall in line with the future park plans.

“It was talked about,” Rentrop said. “But with everything that we wanted to see done there, it just wasn’t something we thought would work. So we brought it to the city and they agreed.”

An ordinance made in the 1940s stating the Boy Scouts were allowed to build the hut in the park, with the stipulation that if at any time anything else were to be built in the park they had 90 days to vacate, Rentrop said.

The committee formed about four years ago for the purpose of restoring the downtown area of Patterson. Planting projects for the beautification of Main Street sparked into an idea to renovate the park.

Renovation plans for the park have been in the making for two years.

“We’re revitalizing downtown and we’re going to start with the park,” Rentrop said. “We want to bring it back the way it used to be and even nicer. So we’re trying to find the grants to get the funding for the park.”

Park planning has been in the works for two years.

“I’m very passionate about what I’m doing in the park,” Rentrop said. “I really want to see it be a very nice park for everybody.”

Donations can be sent to the St. Mary Parish Foundation, P.O. Box 1028, Franklin, LA 70538. To ensure the funds go toward the park fundraising account write Morey Park Fund in the memo area.

“It’s going to take some time but I’m going to stick this through till the end,” Rentrop said. “I really want to see this done for everybody, for tourism and the community.”

For more information, Rentrop can be reached at (985)520-1171 or dvrentrop@cox.net.