The City of Lake Charles is announcing a full slate of Partners in Parks events for the first quarter of 2023. Unless otherwise noted, all events are family-friendly, free and open to the public. 

The schedule begins just after the start of the New Year with the CHRISTUS Ochsner Health SWLA It’s a Healthy New Year Community Health Fair scheduled for Saturday, January 7, at Drew Park, from 10 a.m. – noon.

Sasol’s Nature in Focus series will make its return on Saturday, January 14, with a free educational workshop focused on The Mighty Importance of Trees. The Southwest Louisiana Master Naturalists will be on hand at Tuten Park from 10 a.m. – noon with a variety of educational and fun activities for the entire family.

The month of January will conclude with a free tree giveaway in partnership with Northrop Grumman as part of the City’s #ReTreeLC Initiative. The giveaway, in celebration of Louisiana Arbor Day, will take place on Saturday, January 21, from 9 a.m. – noon at Hillcrest Park. 

February will feature additional Nature in Focus Events, a Children’s Mardi Gras Stroll and a CSE Mad City Money Financial Literacy event. 

In March, residents can look forward to Book it to the Park with the Calcasieu Parish Public Library, a birding and reptile exploration event and Waste Management educational seminar on the importance of recycling.

“Our parks are a critical component of quality of life in the City of Lake Charles,” said Mayor Nic Hunter. “Programs like these are a small part of a larger effort we are making across the City through our Partners in Parks initiative to expand opportunities for citizens of all ages to make their way outside and explore science and nature in their own backyard.”

In July of 2018, the City of Lake Charles launched its citywide Partners in Parks initiative aimed at investing private and public dollars to improve park infrastructure and expand programming. To date, Partners in Parks has injected over a million dollar into the City’s parks without any additional taxation on local citizens.

Individuals interested in investing in City parks may do so online by visiting www.foundationswla.org.

All events are subject to change. Follow www.cityoflakecharles.com and www.facebook.com/LakeCharles/Louisiana for the latest schedule updates.

Q1 2023 PIP