How did the Park Start?

The Park started with a group of dedicated volunteers who dreamed of a place for children to play. In the mid-80’s, the recreation needs of the children in the greater Mandeville area were met by a volunteer group called 4th Ward Recreation. This group of volunteers donated hundreds of hours providing youth sports for the children in the community. Finding fields and gyms for the programs was difficult, but thanks to people like the Moore Family, Our Lady of the Lake church and the school principles, sites were found. With the increase of people moving to the Northshore, 4th Ward Recreation knew that they would soon need fields of their own. In 1985, volunteers lead by Mrs. Sue McGuire, found State owned property just west of the State Hospital that was not being used. The volunteers convinced the State officials and Governor Edwards to lease 50 acres to 4th Ward Recreation Association for a Park. The volunteers held fundraisers and sought corporate donations to fund a construction project, but soon realized that it was a huge task for a non-profit group. Not to have their dreams of a Park stifled, the volunteers found that the Parish had many years before, divided the Parish into Recreation Districts. These Recreation Districts had taxing authority and the District serving the greater Mandeville area, was known as Recreation District #1. In 1986,the volunteers requested that the Parish reactivate Recreation District #1. At that time the Parish appointed 5 members to this Board with Mrs. McGuire being elected Chairman. (today, 3 of those original 5 members still serve on the Board)

The new board quickly set out to survey the property and to develop a master plan for the proposed Park. Many meetings were held with 4th Ward parents, community groups etc to develop a master plan. In 1988, a proposal was put before the voters to approve a property tax millage for the construction of a new Park and a second millage for the operation of the Park. The tax millage passed with over 80% in favor.

In early 1990, phase 1 of Pelican Park was opened which consisted of a 2 court gym, 1 soccer field and 5 baseball/softball fields. Phase 2 which consisted of 5 additional soccer fields and two baseball/softball fields were completed in the fall of 1990. All of the fields had hybrid bermuda grass with irrigation and 4 of the fields had lights. The Board of Commissioners were very frugal with the public’s money, and chose to build as many fields as possible for the children and later try to add amenities.. When first opened, the Park had 1 full time Director and 2 park crew. Slowly, over the next 3 years, the Park was able to add more parking lots, build concessions/bathrooms, pave the gravel entrance road and light 6 more of the fields.

In 1993, the Board of Commissioners for the Recreation District and staff realized that we would soon be out-growing the present facilities. For the next 2 years, the Board and staff begged and pleaded with the State and the State Department of Health and Hospitals to lease additional acreage to the Recreation District. In 1995, the State leased an additional 160 acres to the Recreation District #1/Pelican Park. The Board turned to the public to request input about what they felt was needed in the expansion project. Numerous community meetings were held. A citizen advisory group, open to any person who volunteered, was established to decide what should be included in the expansion project. The recommendations of this advisory group were accepted without change by the Board of Commissioners. In January of 1996, a property tax millage was put before the voters of Recreation District #1 for the expansion of Pelican Park. The voters approved both the expansion millage and new operation millage by 65%.

The expansion project was completed in stages. In 1998, a third court was added to the existing gym. The Castine Center, which is a 46,000 square foot events building (4 basketball courts) opened in February 1999. The fall of 1999, 10 new athletic fields, all with hybrid bermuda, irrigation and lights opened.

Today, the Park consists of 23 athletic fields, a 3 court gym, the 46,000 square foot Castine Center, paved roads and parking for over 900 vehicles. We are still working to improve the Park. Scheduled for completion by late 2002 is a new 2 court gym, a paved trail connecting the fields, a pavilion at the orange complex and more. On a typical Saturday, the Park has over 10,000 visitations.

Most recently, the voters of Recreation District #1 voted to expand Pelican Park, Phase 3.  The bid for the project is set to go out at the end of July 2006.  Included in the base bid is a new softball/baseball complex with three fields, lighting, seating, concessions, and restroom facilities.  Also, game complex with two soccer/football field including lights, seating, concessions and restrooms.  A skateboard park is also included in this phase.  The skateboard park will feature moveable, modular equipment on a poured slab surface, a pavilion with an office and vending, and additional parking.  Two alternate bids are part of this phase of expansion.  Alternate #1 is a complex with three practice baseball/softball fields that would include lights.  The turf on these fields would be a durable, year-round grass.  The 2nd  alternate is to build 3 practice soccer/football fields with the same durable, year-round turf including lights, a pavilion and additional parking.   The Park continues to move forward under the vision to meet the recreational needs of District #1 residents.

Even though the Park now has almost 25 full time employees, volunteers are still the heart of the Park. Without the dreams of those many volunteers years ago, we would not have this Park. Without the volunteers who serve as Commissioners, advisory board members, age group directors and coaches we would not be able to provide the sports and programs for children..