Pope Memorial Park reopens to Houma walkers’ delight

A one-time dairy cow pasture that turned into a public park by way of a land donation in 1984 received an official step up last Wednesday as Terrebonne Parish Consolidated Government and Recreation District 11 officials marked the reopening of a popular one-half mile walking path.

The Glen F. Pope Memorial Park asphalt-walking track had fallen into disrepair over the years.

With $110,000 and approximately 2,700 linear feet of concrete a new walking park, equipped with overhead lighting, has been reopened in Houma after being closed for approximately one month while under construction.

“With a cooperative effort between the Terrebonne Parish Consolidated Government and Recreation District 11 we have repaired it and it is better than ever,” Terrebonne Parish President Michel Claudet said.

“The biggest difference [between the former and new trail] is that concrete can last 50 years for a life span,” Terrebonne Parish Public Works Director Greg Bush said. “With concrete we were able to place joints about every 20 feet so if a section needs to be repaired it will only require on a small section.”

Terrebonne Parish District 5 Councilman Johnny Pizzolatto said that asphalt requires constant resealing and has a much lower lifespan than concrete. In turn, the new path was completed for approximately $15,000 more than an asphalt surface, but is far more cost effective in the long run.

“I’ve received so many calls from residents and others who walk on the track regularly,” Pizzolatto said. “They did a good job. It’s really pretty.”

Bush said that finishing touches to the park would include landscaping and added recreation equipment for children.

“This is awesome,” area resident and regular walker Kathleen Cuneo said. “It is encouraging as to what can be done with the area parks.”

Recreation District 11 members Joe Thompson and Naomi Voisin take the first official walk on a newly constructed one half mile route at the Polk Memorial Park walking track. MIKE NIXON