FUNDING

How Moncus Park is Funded.

Wondering how a park like this stays so vibrant? It’s not magic—it’s community. Explore how Moncus Park runs, grows, and thrives thanks to everyday support.

Moncus Park is not operated by the city or the state. It is a nonprofit park conservancy—built and sustained by the generosity of individuals, families, businesses, and foundations who believe in the power of public greenspace.

Since its founding, over $23 million has been raised to build the park. These funds created trails, pavilions, play areas, water features, and other core features that make Moncus Park what it is today.

But building the park and operating the park follow two different funding models. Each year, Moncus Park must raise or earn the resources needed to cover daily operations and maintenance. This includes landscaping, restroom cleaning, night-time security, staffing, and safety measures.

The charts below illustrate these two funding models. One reflects the ongoing support that powers daily operations. The other shows the capital investments—through private donations, grants, and public infrastructure funding—that helped build the park over time.

How 2024 Funds Were Raised and Used

Sources of 2024 Operating Funding

Donations
Generous contributions from individuals, family foundations, and corporate partners.

Special Events
Fundraising events like Christmas in the Park, An Evening Under the Oaks Gala, and Springfest.

Parking
Parking revenue from daily visitors.

Memberships
Annual support through Friends of Moncus Park.

Programming & Permits
Corporate sponsored wellness and community classes, dog park permits, and vendor fees.

Rentals
Private events, birthday parties, and venue bookings.

Grants
Support from private and corporate grantors.

How 2024 Operating Funds Were Spent

Grounds
Park care, landscaping, repairs, utilities, and security.

Programs & Events
Free public events, community programs, and hospitality services.

Fundraising
Outreach campaigns, fundraising events, marketing, and donor-recognition signage.

Administration
Insurance, IT support, rent, and admin support services.

Building the Park

Since its inception, Moncus Park has raised over $23 million through private donations, state capital outlay, grants, and community partnerships. These funds—known as capital funding—are used for one-time projects that build permanent features like play areas, pavilions, and restrooms. This long-term investment has transformed 100 acres into one of Acadiana’s most beloved public greenspaces. Thanks to those who believed in the vision early on, every path, pavilion, and gathering space stands as a testament to community generosity and shared purpose.

Note: Capital funding helps build the park. But day-to-day care and operations—like staffing, landscaping, security, and programming—are funded separately each year through donations, events, rental fees, memberships, and paid parking.

All-Time Capital Funding Since Park Inception:

Capital Funding Since Inception

Donations
Generous contributions from individuals, family foundations, and corporate partners.

Louisiana Capital Outlay
State funding for major public construction projects—like roads, parks, schools, and public buildings, funded primarily through a statewide bond program. This funding was used to help build permanent features and improve the park’s infrastructure.

Lafayette Parish Visitor Enterprise Fund
Hotel/motel state sales tax that is collected from hotel/motel stays paid by visitors to Lafayette Parish. It is used solely for capital projects.

FHWA Recreational Trails Program for Louisiana (RTPL)
A Federal-aid assistance program to help provide and maintain recreational trails throughout the state. It is administered by the Louisiana Office of State Parks, Division of Outdoor Recreation. This funding helped complete trail projects within the park.

How Capital Funds Were Spent

Leasehold Improvements
Permanent features and infrastructure built to shape and activate the park, including terraforming, lighting, utility infrastructure, landscaping, hardscaping, Helen’s Crossing, Veterans Memorial, Savoy Family Treehouse, Dreamhouse Deck, Ochsner Inclusive Playground, Our Lady of Lourdes Interactive Water Adventure, Lake Reaux, Orlando Mountain, First Horizon Amphitheater, Best Friends Bark Park, Giles Automotive Family Small Dog Park, Ochsner Pathway to Health, Park Place Surgical Path, Haynie Hangout, Miles for Miles Trail, fishing pier, and public restrooms.

Construction in Progress
Active capital projects including the Paul A. Doerle Sr. Farmers Market Pavilion, b1BANK Backyard and pavilion parking lot.

Fixed Assets
Furniture, fixtures, and equipment used to support park operations and visitor amenities.

PITCH IN. POWER THE PARK.