A series of district public meetings will be scheduled aimed at getting public input on what the St. Charles Parish Department of Parks and Recreation is doing well and what areas need improvement.
“This is an opportunity for residents to lead in the brainstorming and help us improve our already successful Parks and Recreation Department,” Executive Director of Community Affairs Dwayne LaGrange said. “All ideas will be heard.”
Anthony Ayo, executive director of technology and communications, added newly elected Parish President Larry Cochran “was serious when he said he wanted the public’s voice to be heard and this is one of the first things he wants to do out the gate. We want the people to know we’re taking their input seriously.”
The first meeting was held for Killona and Hahnville residents at Killona Firehouse.
Other meetings are scheduled as follows: Destrehan, March 9, Destrehan High School, No. 1 Wildcat Lane; Luling-Ama area, March 16, Father Cote Center, 10773 River Road, Ama; St. Rose area, March 17, Destrehan High School; Norco-New Sarpy area, April 12, Destrehan High School; Boutte-Des Allemands area, April 13, Hahnville High School, 200 Tiger Drive; and Mimosa area, April 20, Hahnville High School.
All meetings will be held from 6 – 7:30 p.m.
The move is aimed on building on residents’ feedback made during Cochran’s campaign, including a desire expressed for a dog park and boat launch, he said.
“An overwhelming number of people with dogs expressed they would like something like this and that drove this concept,” Ayo said of the dog park.
Although the parish government has gotten input on this already, he said they want to be strategic about how the input is handled and prioritized. At the meetings, public input will be taken toward what Ayo said is becoming the parish’s mantra of continuous improvement.
In addition to district meetings, Ayo said other efforts will be made to collect input, including digitally.
“We really want to know what we’re doing well and what we can improve on,” he said. “Let’s face it, we can improve everywhere,” he said. “But we think this gives us the widest shot at making a difference as soon as possible.”
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