Millennium Park - Lake Charles, LA

The main structure of the park. Photo by Vinson Mouser

In my last post I blogged about Sam Houston Jones State Park. In that blog post I mentioned the Millennium Park in Lake Charles, LA. Only one word describes this park ......Awesome!




The park is located on the Lake Charles Civic Center Property and is completely surrounded by an aesthetic fence. There is only one entrance in and out.

The middle of the splash pad. Photo by Vinson Mouser

We had been to this park a few years back but were unaware that an arsonist had burned it down. I know that is hard to believe but it is true. The main structure in the park was so big it was actually a target of an arsonist.

The good news is that they rebuilt the park better than before and added a splash pad  full of water stations.

As you enter the park the eyes will feast on several activities for small children as well as your average 12 year old. There are swings, monkey bars, seesaws, slides, bridges, a pirate ship with its on slides, a structure with a two story slide and so much more.

Enjoying the water. Photo by Vinson Mouser

As you move further into the Millennium Park you begin to see the splash pad. There are approximately 14 water stations to cool you off and both children and parents will enjoy. As a parent you may not want to get wet so there are park benches with mesh canopies to help you get out of the sun while you enjoy your children's laughter and fun.

There is a nearby clean restroom right on the site. A security officer was in the park the entire time we were present and it is my understanding  he is there as long as the park is open.

Just across the street there are several vendors parked who are selling snacks.

Pirate Ship in the Millennium Park. Photo by Vinson Mouser

Our kids had a blast at this park. I highly recommend a stop by the Millennium Park if you are in the area or if your up for a trip. There is no cost to play at this great park i
n the heart of Lake Charles, LA.


For more information on Millennium Park visit: City of Lake Charles

Kees Park - Pineville, LA

Climbing Wall - Photo by: Vinson Mouser

We went to Kees Park in Pineville, LA and met some friends for a day in the park. I have to tell you Pineville knew what it was doing when it built this park. If you need a place to go for the day with the children add this park to your list.

So often we go to parks that are out in the glaring sun. I always wonder what were people thinking when they put this park here. This is not the case with Kees Park. This park has tons of tall shady pine trees and plenty of things to do.

For the little kids the park has a pretend school bus, small dinosaurs, and the small play sets with slides. For the older kids they have the bigger play sets with tube slides, swings, and a balance bar. There is also a climbing wall that is about 5 foot high. All of the play areas are either on rubber mats or surrounded by sand.

Swings - Photo by: Vinson Mouser

There are plenty of picnic tables and a few barbeque pits out in the grassy areas. There are also benches around the play equipment. On the day we went we used the picnic tables to have a birthday party.

The restroom facilities were clean, well lit, and well stocked. The park is surrounded by a fence with two entrance/exits.

Play Set - Photo by: Vinson Mouser

This park is very popular and can get busy at times so be prepared to keep an eye on your children. 

Kees Park is located at 2450 Highway 28 E Pineville, LA 71360. Stay safe and have fun!

Cappell Park in Evergreen, LA

 Lucrecia took the kids around 11 AM to the Cappell Park in Evergreen today. They were meeting up with several other home school families from the area. I had a few things to do before I  was able to meet everyone at the park.

Pavilion  - Photo by Vinson Mouser

 I finally arrived at the park around 12:30 PM. The weather was not particularly good for a park day but it wasn’t raining so…….why not?

This is a fairly nice park but it has seen better days. There is a covered pavilion with picnic tables underneath. On either side of the covered pavilion there was a barbeque pit. There were at least three other open air picnic tables and one other barbeque pit away from the pavilion.

There is a tennis court but the net was not really pulled tight which caused it to have a pretty bag sag.  There are benches alongside of the tennis court, the type you find at most tennis courts.

Swings and slides. - Photo by Vinson Mouser

There were three sets of play areas for the kids which included, three slides, swings, tunnels, and climbing bars. The swings and slides have pea gravel all around them.

The park has a sidewalk walking track for exercise.  So it is convenient to bring the kids to play while you exercise,

Most of the park is surrounded by a fence but there are no gates so you still need to keep and extra close eye on any little children. There is a restroom which was fairly clean but alas there was no toilet paper.

Climbing Bars - Photo by Vinson Mouser

Right across the street is a very small country convenience store which carries a few basic items. Drinks, snacks, etc. It doesn't really look like a store. A big open sign lets you know your welcome to come on in and shop.

All in all this is a nice little park for a quick getaway. The area feels and looks safe. It is along a road that has slow but occasional traffic, near the post office and a convenience store.

To reach the park turn off of LA 21 left onto LA 361. The park is about 300 feet on the left.

Slides, tunnels and climbing bars. - Photo by Vinson Mouser

 

Alexandria Zoo Recomended

Lucrecia and I took the kids on a trip to the Alexandria Zoo in Louisiana earlier this week. The Alexandria Zoo is one of my favorite zoo’s to visit.

There are a lot of animals to see but the best part is the shade. The zoo is full of trees and bamboo which provide shade from the heat of the sun. So often,  I have been to zoos that are concrete jungles but this is not the case of the Alexandria Zoo.

Photo by: Lucrecia Mouser

Currently the zoo is undergoing some renovations which should make it even better. A few areas are closed.

While at the zoo the kid’s favorite part is riding the train around the zoo and stopping at the playground. I enjoy observing the White Bengal Tigers and Lucrecia enjoys watching the monkey’s cut up. We all like feeding the fish!

I would recommend the Alexandria Zoo to anyone in the area. It is a good way to pass some leisure time with family, friends, and the kids.

Photo by: Vinson Mouser