For residents in St. Charles, St John and St. James parishes, the Bonnet Carre Spillway has been an excellent place for outdoor lovers to escape.
Outdoor enthusiast can enjoy boating, jet skiing, crabbing, crawfishing, canoeing, dog training and hiking.
Additionally, residents can take their bikes on one of the spillway’s many trails, watch for birds, ride ATVs, fly a kite or take their model airplanes for a spin.
For locals in St. Charles Parish, it only takes minutes to get to the outdoor hot spot.
Last weekend, with temperatures in the mid 80s, hundreds were enjoying the outdoor paradise.
Kenneth and Blanche Naquin, of LaPlace, brought their kids Kenneth Jr, Kevin, Kaden, Keith, Samantha, Katelyn and Kayla to enjoy an afternoon of free play and BBQ.
“We love coming to the Bonnet Carre Spillway to crab, fish and just let the kids get out of the house,” Naquin Sr. said. “We try to come three or four times a month.”
Along the Lower Borrow Canal, Elizabeth Bright, Trevion Vaughn, Shanita James and Derrisha Scott tried to catch some big catfish feeding in the area due to the high water.
“We love the spillway,” Bright said. “I would come everyday if I could. The kids love coming out here.”
At Pleasure Beach, a sandy open-bottom lake lined with trees for shade, Michelle Gardner and Tom Anderson, of Norco, were trying to beat the heat.
“This is a great place to bring the dogs and kids. Right now, we love being able to swim in the shallow water and get a sun tan,” Gardner said.
Bryan and Antoinette McGovern, of Luling, spent some time flying kites at the spillway’s flood control structure.
“We are going to spend three to four hours and then go home,” Bryan McGovern said. “It’s still early in the spring but when the water goes down I’ll be back with the family to catch bream, bass, catfish and sac-a-lait.
“I like to fish along the north levee next to the railroad tracks. When the sun goes down is when I do my best.”
At the newly constructed Wetland Watchers Park, several people were riding bikes, picnicking, fishing, sun bathing and crabbing.
More were there just to hike on the marsh trail or get in some relaxation.
The Wetland watchers Park has eight covered pavilions with picnic tables, a large pavilion, a fishing pier, and a hiking path around the entire area.
There is plenty of parking.
The Bonnet Carre Spillway is located in the northwest corner of St. Charles Parish. The only access points are from Highway 61, Airline Highway, or by River Road. Go west toward Norco until you see the signs for the Bonnet Carre Spillway.
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