Marsh Island Restoration Study
Creating a Quality Habitat For Lafreniere Park Aquatic Wildlife
Start Date:11/1/2011
Complettion Date:5/1/2012
Marsh Island was included in the original 1975 Lafreniere Park Master Plan to provide a representative Louisiana fresh water marsh wetlands habitat including aquatic wildlife that visitors to the Park can experience and enjoy. This study was commissioned in 2011 by the Lafreniere Park Advisory Board recognizing a need to restore and improve the Marsh Island area.
This study finds that there has been land loss of approximately one third of the original Marsh Island land area due to settlement and erosion during the 35+ years of operation. The erosion has resulted in significant loss of water depth in waters surrounding the Island from the soil deposited by run-off.
The study also finds that there is insufficient vegetation (trees, shrubs and grass) to provide a quality habitat for aquatic and other wildlife. This insufficiency results partly from the land loss and partly from the area being missed in the aggressive and successful tree planting programs which have been pursued to provide shade, a park setting, and to beautify the other areas of the Park.
The study also finds a need for some improvement in animal and vegetation control to improve the habitat for desirable species.
The principal recommendation of the study is that the Island land area be restored to the approximate 1975 original construction size.
A second recommendation is that the water depth lost by erosion be restored to approximately 4 feet water depth with the soil removed (spoil) from the water bottom returned to restore the Island land area. This water depth dredging should also include a small area approximately 10 feet in water depth to permit installation of aeration equipment to improve the aquatic habitat quality.
A third recommendation is an aggressive tree and brush planting program to provide more and improved habitat for water fowl and other animal residents. A sustain and maintain program is also recommended to maintain the restored island shoreline and remove and control unwanted vegetation and predator wildlife.
Download the Full Study Report Here
Aerial Image of Proposed Restoration
Meadow Area - Sept 2009
Top dressing for Meadow Area
Start Date:9/1/2010
Complettion Date:
Restroom #1 - Sewer Repair
Repaired sewer pump for restroom #1
Start Date:4/1/2010
Complettion Date:4/30/2010
Concrete Pads - Downs Blvd
Placed concrete pads on all electrical boxes along Downs Blvd.
Start Date:4/1/2010
Complettion Date:4/30/2010
Marsh Island Bridge Gate
Replace gate on bridge to Marsh Island
Start Date:4/1/2010
Complettion Date:4/30/2010
Tot Lot - Lyons Playlot
Replacement of safety surface
Start Date:4/1/2010
Complettion Date:
Patio Gardens Rear Gate
Installed a gate in rear of Patio Gardens
Start Date:4/1/2010
Complettion Date:4/30/2010
Pavillion Stage
Painting of stage in Pavillion
Start Date:3/1/2010
Complettion Date:3/30/2010
Tot Lot Fencing
Replaced old fencing with black aluminum fencing
Start Date:3/1/2010
Complettion Date:3/30/2010
Restroom #2 - ADA ramp
Installed an ADA ramp from parking lot to Restroom #2
Start Date:3/1/2010
Complettion Date:3/30/2010
Shelter #5 ADA ramp & sidewalk
Installed ramp & sidewalk (ADA complaint)to Shelter #5
Start Date:3/1/2010
Complettion Date:3/30/2010
Tot Lot - Carousel area
Replace surface as per warranty work
Start Date:3/1/2010
Complettion Date:
Shelter #3 Waterline Feb 2010
Repaired waterline
Start Date:2/1/2010
Complettion Date:2/28/2010
Gates (Downs Blvd) - Painting 2010
Painted Downs Blvd gates
Start Date:2/1/2010
Complettion Date:2/28/2010
David Dr. Lot improvements
Clean, grade, install sidewalk, and security light
Start Date:2/1/2010
Complettion Date:3/30/2010
Park Office - Feb 2010
Painted interior of Park Office
Start Date:2/1/2010
Complettion Date:2/28/2010
Par Terre Gardens - Feb 2010
Clean, mulch, and repair lights
Start Date:2/1/2010
Complettion Date:2/28/2010
Fitness Station (Downs Blvd) Surface Repair
Replaced surface as per warranty
Start Date:2/1/2010
Complettion Date:3/30/2010
Park Benches - Jan 2010
Installed park benches by Shelter #1 and Marsh Island
Start Date:1/1/2010
Complettion Date:1/30/2010
Restroom #4 Waterline
Repaired water line to Restroom #4
Start Date:1/1/2010
Complettion Date:1/30/2010
Historic Marker
Installed historic marker on N. Scenic Drive
Start Date:1/1/2010
Complettion Date:1/30/2010
Sidewalk Repair 2010
Adding & repairing sidewalks in Park
Start Date:1/1/2010
Complettion Date:
Work done by Boh Brothers
Carousel Token Machine
Replace with 3 new machnes
Start Date:11/1/2009
Complettion Date:3/30/2010
Marsh Area
Rebuilding island
Start Date:10/1/2009
Complettion Date:
Fill material being spread - 100 yds of fill materail
Feb 2010 - Built limestone roadway
Fitness Trail repair Sept 2009
Repair cracks in surface
Start Date:9/1/2009
Complettion Date:12/30/2009
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