Moncus Park, Acadiana’s newest greenspace, is set to open after the design and construction of several additional park elements.  Moncus Park secured the funding to move forward with these new features, including a playground, a treehouse, an amphitheater, and a Louisiana-themed interactive water fountain, over the last two years during the current phase of construction.

After a community-wide campaign successfully preserved the former “UL Horse Farm” property from commercial development, the City purchased the farm in 2012.  Lafayette Central Park, Inc. (LCP), was then founded as a non-profit conservancy to oversee the design, development, and operation of this new world-class park.

LCP gathered over 7,400 opinions from Acadiana residents over the course of a year, and this vision for the Park’s master plan was adopted by the City-Parish Council in 2014.  With a plan in place, LCP began raising donations to fund construction.  Thanks to a lead gift from Mr. James Devin Moncus to name the Park, Phase 1 of construction was able to begin in 2018 and includes a new 4-acre lake, a great lawn, over two miles of new trails, a dog park, as well as much of the infrastructure and utilities for future developments.

“After many discussions within the community and with our benefactors, the board of directors felt as though adding additional features as soon as possible will make Moncus Park’s Grand Opening even more ‘grand’,” said Lenny Lemoine, chairman of the board.  “Having these important play and entertainment spaces in place will make it an even more exciting destination for our region.”

“We are so grateful for the incredible generosity from our donors that allows us to bring these additional areas of the Park to life,” said Elizabeth ‘EB’ Brooks, Moncus Park’s executive director.  “We know the community is eager to see what we have been building, and we’re excited to celebrate an even more complete park when we get these pieces in place!”