Restoration Park
This is a most unusual park - with an interesting history. It is an urban wetlands park that also functions as a floodwater detention basin. It is located on the site of a major sand and gravel mining operation that continued for over 50 years. After this site was "mined out" in the 1970's it was used by many people in the area to illegally dump all manner of trash and refuse.
The City of West Monroe purchased this land in 1989 and began plans to develop the property as a floodwater detention basin and recreation area. Assisted by grants from the Environmental Protection Agency and the Louisiana Department Of Environmental Quality, the park was opened to the public in November, 2003. The City won awards from the Louisiana Urban Forestry Council for the mitigation, conservation, and vegetation plans that were part of the initial study of the site.
The walking trail around the perimeter of the park marks the "high ground” where mining operations did not occur, while the interior of the park shows the scars of the mining operations. Although initial efforts to remove the garbage and litter deposited on the land over
this page online
This site still bears the marks of years of abuse by man. However, it is recovering,
and in time nature will be able to restore the land. That is why we chose the name
RESTORATION PARK. Enjoy your visit.
NO FISHING ALLOWED.
Erected by City of West Monroe.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Environment • Parks & Recreational Areas.
Location. 32° 30.495′ N, 92° 10.308′ W. Marker is in West Monroe, Louisiana, in Ouachita Parish. Marker can be reached from Downing Pines Road, 0.1 miles south of Mane Street, on the left when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 700 Downing Pines Road, West Monroe LA 71292, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 4 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. First Southern Pine Fourdrinier Kraft Linerboard in United States (approx. 1.9 miles away); Trenton (approx. 2.2 miles away); Monroe Residential Historic District (approx. 2.7 miles away); Site of First City Hall of West Monroe (approx. 2.8 miles away); Don Juan Filhiol Historic Preservation District (approx.
More about this marker. Located about 50 feet from start of main walking trail.
Credits. This page was last revised on May 17, 2020. It was originally submitted on May 17, 2020, by Cajun Scrambler of Assumption, Louisiana. This page has been viewed 186 times since then and 32 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on May 17, 2020, by Cajun Scrambler of Assumption, Louisiana.
