Moncus Park Breaks Ground on the Paul A. Doerle Sr. Farmers Market Pavilion
Lafayette, LA – November 6, 2023 – On Monday, November 6, 2023, Moncus Park, Lafayette’s 100-acre nonprofit greenspace, broke ground on the highly anticipated Paul A. Doerle Sr. Farmers Market Pavilion. This new ADA-accessible addition to Moncus Park spans over 3,000 square feet, adds additional restrooms to the property, and serves as an open-air pavilion that boasts a stunning back porch overlooking the front 50 acres of the park.
One of the most exciting aspects of this new addition is its role as the new home for the Lafayette Artisans and Farmers Market, which has been a beloved fixture at Moncus Park for ten years. Held weekly on Saturday mornings, the market supports over 140 vendors and small businesses, contributing to the local economy and providing a platform for artisans and farmers to showcase their talents and products.
Designed by Lake|Flato, an acclaimed architectural firm renowned for its innovation and sustainability, the Paul A. Doerle Sr. Farmers Market Pavilion is set to become a signature feature of Moncus Park. Lake|Flato has received numerous accolades, including the prestigious American Institute of Architects Firm of the Year Award in 2004 and an impressive 15 Top Ten Green Project Awards from the AIA Committee on the Environment. In 2013, the firm was honored with the Global Award for Sustainable Architecture, and in 2014, it was inducted into the Interior Design Magazine Hall of Fame.
The Paul A. Doerle Sr. Farmers Market Pavilion pays homage to the inspiring legacy of Paul A. Doerle Sr., a true visionary in the food service industry. Rising from humble origins, he and his father, Paul Peter Doerle, built a small produce distribution venture into the nationally acclaimed Doerle Food Services. Beyond business success, he was a community pillar in Acadiana, contributing to nonprofit organizations and charitable causes. The naming of the Pavilion honors his enduring legacy of entrepreneurship, generosity, and community devotion.
The Paul A. Doerle Sr. Farmers Market Pavilion was made possible through a generous gift from the William C. Schumacher Family Foundation, with additional support from Lafayette Economic Development Authority (LEDA), and funding from the State’s Capital Outlay Program, which serves as a vital source of state financing for public improvement projects that fall outside dedicated funding programs, utilizing state general obligation bonds and self-generated revenues to acquire, preserve, and develop lands, buildings, and permanent improvements.
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About Moncus Park
Moncus Park cultivates connections to enrich lives and strengthen community through nature. Guided by this mission, the Park is committed to sustainability efforts and provides activities and events for the community. The nonprofit park conservancy is solely responsible for the operations and maintenance of 100-acres of greenspace in the heart of Acadiana, with its annual operating budget primarily derived from fundraising and self-generated activities. This unique nonprofit park conservancy model, the first of its kind in Acadiana, is a growing trend nationwide. To learn more about Moncus Park’s mission and contribute to its impactful journey, please visit www.moncuspark.org.