HISTORY

THE HISTORY OF MONCUS PARK

What once was a movement, is now Acadiana’s award-winning nonprofit park, Moncus Park. See how it all began below.

Moncus Park Milestones: A Timeline of Community Progress

2005

The Movement Begins

The “Save the Horse Farm” campaign launches as passionate community members rally to protect the 100-acre property from commercial development. This grassroots effort marks the beginning of a long-term vision to transform the land into a central park for all of Lafayette.

2012

Land Secured by LCG

The Lafayette Consolidated Government (LCG) purchases the land from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, officially preserving it as public greenspace. This acquisition lays the groundwork for future planning and community-led development.

2013

The Nonprofit is Formed

Lafayette Central Park, Inc. is established as a nonprofit organization to design, develop, operate, and maintain the park. The organization begins engaging the public in shaping what the park could become.

2014

Master Plan Approved

After an extensive community engagement process, the Lafayette City-Parish Council unanimously approves the Master Plan, reflecting the voices and aspirations of thousands of residents.

2016

Moncus Park is Named

The park is officially named Moncus Park in honor of philanthropist James “Jim” Moncus, whose generous contribution helped launch the project.

2018

Phase 1 Construction Begins

Following years of planning and fundraising, LCG grants a long-term lease to the nonprofit, allowing construction to begin. This phase delivers essential infrastructure, trails, and play areas.

2021

Phase 2 Development Starts

Phase 2 construction brings more accessible paths, expanded gardens, and enhanced gathering spaces to support growing park attendance.

2022

Grand Opening

On January 1, Moncus Park officially opens to the public. Programming and events begin, establishing the park as a vibrant community hub.

2023

Growth in Motion

Phase 3 construction continues as Moncus Park experiences steady growth in both attendance and programming. With an average of over 8,000 weekly visitors, the park becomes an even more vibrant destination for events, wellness activities, and community connection.

2024

New Features Come to Life

Phase 3 construction continues as the park celebrates record-high attendance. The Best Friends Bark Park and Dreamhouse Deck officially open.

2025

Building the Park's Future

Construction advances on key capital projects: the Doerle Pavilion, b1BANK Backyard, and upcoming Kergan Meditation Garden, deepening the park’s role in community life.

A TESTAMENT TO COMMUNITY SPIRIT

Moncus Park is proof that a community can accomplish incredible things when they join together around a common cause.

This beautiful property has a lot of history in the region, due to being on high ground in Lafayette Parish, with access to nearby coulees and the Vermilion River. Historical evidence dates back to at least the Attakapas-Ishak Tribe and later to some of the first Acadian settlers. When the University of Louisiana at Lafayette (UL) purchased it in 1920 for agricultural research, it was out of town. Lafayette continued to grow around it and housed cows, then horses, earning it the nickname, “the Horse Farm.”

In 2005, UL announced plans to allow for commercial development at the farm. In response, two UL seniors, Danica Adams and Elizabeth “EB” Brooks (who would later become one of the park’s first executive directors), launched the “Save the Horse Farm” campaign to instead preserve the property as a central park for everyone in our community. After nearly seven years of campaigning, the effort came to fruition. In 2012, UL President Dr. Joseph Savoie sold the land to the City of Lafayette under the leadership of Mayor-President Joey Durel, who also championed this idea of a new park. With the support of thousands of advocates, the property, at last, had been “saved.”

Non-profit park conservancies are a growing trend across the country, and Lafayette Central Park, Inc., was formed in 2013 to build and operate a world-class park. A grant from the Lafayette Public Trust Financing Authority (LPTFA) funded an award-winning community engagement effort that pulled together over 7,400 opinions from Acadiana residents through public meetings and online surveys. The City-Parish Council unanimously approved the master plan and programming concepts our community crafted.

With the park’s master plan in place, fundraising could begin. One of the first donors approached was Mr. James “Jim” Devin Moncus, who saw the regional impact of the park, and donated the lead gift to allow for construction to begin. Since that time, thousands of community leaders, foundations, businesses, residents, and tourists have donated money, resources, and time to bringing the vision of Moncus Park to life. The board of directors and staff of Moncus Park thank our community for being a part of that vision, and for enjoying this beautiful park that continues to embody the generosity, dedication, and vision of so many.