River Bluff Park new add-on opening soon
Published 5:09 pm Sunday, October 29, 2017
The River Bluff Park project in Moss Bluff has been ongoing for years. And while there have been major upgrades, Moss Bluff residents are sure to be excited for the newest development to open.
Phase II-B will have a ribbon cutting Friday and will open to the public on Saturday. Park visitors will be able to use a variety of new features, such as a playground, splash pad, fitness area and walking path.
Dean Kelly, Calcasieu Parish Police Jury director of facility management, said the anticipation for this phase is “on the same scale as Prien Lake Park.”
Kelly said the splash pad should be open for children, even though the weather has cooled off somewhat. The playground has sections for children of different ages and also caters to children with physical and mental disabilities.
This particular phase hasn’t been without hiccups. Initial estimates were $3.5 million, but bids came in way over budget.
Kelly attributed it to the economic growth in the area and the rising cost of certain materials, like concrete.
Park planners were forced to reassess the work and figure out ways to cut costs. A 4,789-square-foot rentable pavilion was put on hold, and the project went out for bids a second time. The Iowa, La.-based company Miller and Associates had the winning bid of $3.05 million.
More work remains at River Bluff Park after this phase opens. The rentable pavilion will be built, along with a raised walking path that travels through the existing wetlands and ties into the boat launch.
Crews will also have to work on a drainage lateral that runs into the Calcasieu River. Design plans for this third phase of work will be done next year, with construction set to start sometime in 2019.
Work on the west side of the park property is a long way out, but Kelly said the vision could include extending a boat slip into a fishing area for children and another pavilion that could provide the park with an educational component.
River Bluff Park is much different that when officials broke ground on it in 2014. Soon, Moss Bluff residents will be able to enjoy the new features that are sure to make it a regular stop.
