Frequently Asked Questions
for the Department of Parks & Recreation
Q:
What are your parks hours of operation?
A:
Eddie D. Jones Park is open 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday,
and 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Sunday, the same as Walter
Jacobs Nature Park.
We need to add this information. Keithville Community Park is open 6:00 a.m.
to 9:00 p.m. daily, just like all of the other parks, except it is not open
to the public during school hours. When school is in session, the park is
open to the public after school hours (after 3:00 p.m.). It is open normal
hours on all weekends.
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Q:
Are there any animals at the parks? If so, what kind?
A:
Several of the Parish parks located on area lakes have native bird mammals and
other animals that can sometimes be observed in the parks. The
Walter B. Jacobs Memorial Nature Park has displays of native fish,
amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals used in educational programs, in
addition to the native wildlife found in the park.
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Q:
What type of trails do the parks have?
A:
Walter B. Jacobs Memorial Nature Park,
P. B. S. Pinchback Park, Keithville Community Park,
Greenbrook Park, and
Stoner Hill Park have handicapped accessible asphalt paths. Walter Jacobs
Nature Park has more than five miles of hiking trails. Eddie D. Jones Park has
more than ten miles of mountain biking trails, five miles of horseback riding
trails, and 1 ½ miles of hiking trails. Hiking is permitted on all of
the trails in Eddie Jones Park.
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Q:
Do any of the parks charge a fee or admission?
A:
None of the Parish parks charge an admission fee.
The Walter B. Jacobs Memorial Nature Park does accept donations to feed the
park animals.
Earl G. Williamson Park charges for overnight camping.
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Q:
Can I reserve a park or parks site?
A:
Parish park sites are available on a first-come-first-serve basis. Reservations
can be made for interpretive programs provided by the
Walter B. Jacobs Memorial Nature Park staff. The nature park pavilion can
also be rented. Any special requests must be submitted to the director of parks
and recreation for a permit.
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Q:
Do I need a license to fish off the pier at Earl G. Williamson Park?
A:
A La. Fishing license is required to fish in any of the Parish parks that allow
fishing. To Find out more about a Louisiana Fishing License click
here.
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Q:
Is hunting allowed in parish parks?
A:
Hunting is not allowed on any Parish park sites.
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Q:
Do you offer any summer programs?
A:
The
Walter B. Jacobs Memorial Nature Park pavilion serves as the site of a
summer Earth Camp each year. The environmental day camp is sponsored jointly by
the Parish of Caddo Parks and Recreation Department and Shreveport Green.
Questions regarding Earth Camp should be submitted to the director's office.
Other summer programs available are listed under special events.
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Q:
Is fishing allowed before or after parks hours of operation?
A:
Yes. However, the fishing pier in
Earl Williamson Park is closed when the park gates are closed, usually at
9:00p.m.
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Q:
How do I get to Walter B. Jacobs Memorial Nature Park and Earl G. Williamson
park?
A:
Directions to
Walter B. Jacobs Memorial Nature Park:
From Shreveport take LA 173 (Shreveport-Blanchard Highway) north to Blanchard
and turn west one block south of the stoplight next to the Post Office. The park
is located on the Blanchard-Furrh Road, 2.8 miles west of Blanchard. It is also
accessible from the east via I-220 to LA 173, and from the west via !-20 to LA
169 north to Longwood. LA 1 and US 71 provide easy access from the north.
Directions to Earl
G.Williamson Park:
On Hwy 1, 20 miles north of the Shreveport riverfront. Take I-20 to the I-220
bypass. Proceed north on Hwy 1 and Hwy 71 Take the left fork on Hwy 1 to Oil
City.
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Q:
Do you offer any type of recreational ball leagues?
A:
The Parish sponsors an adult women's basketball league.
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Q:
Does the nature park staff pick up injured animals?
A:
The nature park staff are permitted to care for injured vertebrates, but cannot
pick up animals. The Caddo Parish Animal Control Department picks up injured
animals and will transport them to the nature park if necessary.
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Q:
How do I register a boat on Cross Lake?
A:
Contact the Cross Lake Patrol
2900 Municipal Pier Rd.
Shreveport, La. 71119
Phone (318)673-7245
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Questions regarding identification or advice about plants, mammals, birds,
snakes, or other organisms may be directed to any of the park naturalists
officed in the
Walter B. Jacobs Memorial Nature Park at (318)929-2806.
