INDfamily

Mouton Park attracts major League players

by Leslie Turk

The Junior League of Lafayette's 55th anniversary celebration makes a lasting impression on an aging Lafayette park.

The Junior League of Lafayette, along with a little help from Lafayette Consolidated Government, is hammering away, rebuilding and replacing outdated playground structures at Mouton Park on Center Street.

League spokeswoman Hope Hebert says Playground Project, which sticks true to the organization's mission of serving families in Lafayette, is one way the league chose to celebrate turning 55 this year.

"Everybody thought this was something to do because it would leave a lasting legacy," Hebert says. "Their children's children could enjoy this 30 years from now."

Mouton Park, centrally located not only in walking distance from neighborhoods but also local schools, now has only slides and swingsets, both of which are in poor condition. The league views the project as a way to promote another important issue - getting kids active and healthy.

When Playground Project wraps up, Mouton Park will feature two multi-feature play structures with slides, monkey bars and a rock climbing wall, four swing sets and equipment specific to special needs children. The improvements to playground equipment mirror the 2010 updates to Girard Park.

The Junior League is funding this project with money raised by its successful annual holiday market, Tinsel and Treasures, and sales of award-winning cookbooks such as Talk about Good and Something To Talk About.

The league will unveil the updates as part of its 55th anniversary with a community and volunteer celebration Saturday, March 23, from 3-5 p.m. Mouton Park is located at 803 Center St. in Lafayette.

A ribbon cutting will take place at 3:30 p.m. The event is free to the public and includes food, entertainment, face painting and a balloon artist as part of the festivities. Additional information on healthy living for kids and upcoming community projects will also be on display by Junior League members.