St. Martinville – The City of St. Martinville broke ground on a walking trail and playground on the three-acre city festival grounds property located adjacent to Bayou Teche on East Madison Street.
The St. Martinville City Council joined Mayor Jason Willis, representatives of the St. Martinville Tourism and Recreation Department, other local and state officials and city residents for an early-afternoon groundbreaking this past Tuesday.
Willis said the centrally- located site sits between the north end and the south end of town and provides an opportunity to unite the city with events.
Lead architect David Allain of Allain Architects said the master plan includes the current project that will build a walking trail around the festival grounds stage, a new playground and parking.
Grounds
Phase 1 is paid for through state and city funding and will feature a quarter-mile paved walking path around the stage, going from the street to the parking area and back.
Standard park lighting and landscaping also are in the works.
The playground will be for special needs children ages 2 to 12, the mayor said, giving those with special needs access to playground equipment. Adam Carlson Park and Magnolia Park have upgraded their playground equipment in recent years as well, the mayor noted.
Cuzan Services of Belle Chasse is doing the construction. The project is expected to wrap up around the end of summer, weather permitting.
After a blessing of the grounds by St Martin de Tours Catholic Church pastor Rev. Jason Vidrine, City Council members Mike Fuselier, Carol Frederick, Jonas Fontenette and Janise Anthony joined the mayor and Iberia Parish Councilwoman Lady Fontenette Brown, standing in for State Rep. Mar-
