City of Lake Charles, Louisiana

 City of Lake Charles Holds Tuten Park

          Grand Opening and Arbor Day Celebration

The City of Lake Charles held a grand opening and Arbor Day celebration today, April 28, for the newly renovated Tuten Park located at 3801 Nelson Rd.

Mayor Roach, who was with family in Indiana and unable to attend the grand opening in-person, said in filmed remarks: "The primary mission of Tuten Park, as established by the Tuten family, is: to be used and maintained as a woodland park area and as a sanctuary for birds, native flowers and trees.  The Tuten family dedicated the land to the enjoyment and education of the public, particularly our youth."

A community-based Friends of Tuten Park board of directors, formed by the City in 2011, will assist in furthering the mission of the park.

Mayor Roach said the renovation of Tuten Park "has been a community effort" and he thanked those involved in helping make the grand opening possible, including: the Tuten and Wolf families, the members of the City Council, the state agencies who supported the renovation through grants, those companies and individuals who helped in designing and building the park, the Friends of Tuten Park Board of Directors, and the many organizations who supported the renovation effort.

Master of Ceremonies for the Tuten Park Grand Opening and Arbor Day celebration was Lake Charles City Council President John Ieyoub.  Other featured speakers included Annette Ballard with the Calcasieu Parish School Board who spoke about Friends of Tuten and ongoing programs to occur at the park; former state Sen. Willie Mount, who spoke about the history of Tuten Park; and City Council members John Ieyoub and Stuart Weatherford who lead an Arbor Day Celebration, which concluded with a tree planting ceremony conducted by the City Council.  The grand opening ceremonies concluded with a ribbon cutting conducted by the City Council.  As part of the City's reTREE LC program, there was a tree giveaway at the event.   

Tuten Park is named in honor of Dr. and Mrs. J. D. Tuten and a 20 acre tract of land was donated to the city by their son, Frank Adams Tuten.    Later, an additional three-and-a- half acres were donated by Dr. Eric Wolf II and his family.

Today's event marked the grand opening of Phase I of the Tuten Park renovation project, which will provide opportunities for the public - particularly young people -- to become educationally involved with the preservation of the park's natural habitat and its vital role in the world.

Phase 1 includes: an educational building designed as a learning facility that will be utilized for a variety of educational programs, activities and events used by community groups, schools and organizations; increased visibility within the main park; day and nighttime surveillance cameras throughout the park;  and on-site city personnel during park hours.  Park days and hours for the general public will be Tuesday through Sunday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.  The educational building will be available by reservation.  Interested individuals/organizations should call the City of Lake Charles Parks and Recreation Department at 491-8731.

In 2010, the City and McNeese State University initiated a collaboration whereby the university's Department of Biology would conduct a biological survey.   The survey is identifying animal and plant life and will provide useful information in furthering Tuten Park's educational goals.

Phase 2 of the park renovation project, which is currently being planned, will include hard and soft walking paths in a natural wooded setting, butterfly and hummingbird gardens, and bridges that cross wetland areas.

Tuten Park was heavily damaged by Hurricane Rita in 2005 and later closed.

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The City of Lake Charles fully complies with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and related statutes and regulations in all programs and activities.   For more information, or to obtain a Title VI Complaint Form, see the City of Lake Charles website- www.cityoflakecharles.com  or call the Mayor's Action Line at (337) 491-1346, or contact the appropriate Department Head, or call the Title VI coordinator at (337) 491-1440.