ENTERGY TO PROVIDE $70,000 FOR MONTZ PARK IMPROVEMENTS

For immediate release August 6, 2008

MONTZ – A $70,000 grant from the Entergy Charitable Foundation will fund new playground equipment and other improvements at the only public park in this small river parishes community on the western edge of the Bonnet Carre Spillway.

Entergy leaders will present Parish President V.J. St. Pierre Jr. with a check during a ceremony at 10 a.m. Aug. 13 at the park, 100 Calcagno St. The public is invited to attend.

“This project will be a welcome addition for this family-oriented community,” Entergy spokesman Doug Rhodes said. “Entergy is delighted to continue its tradition of community partnerships with entities such as the St. Charles Parish Department of Parks and Recreation.”

The park, which is adjacent to the spillway levee, covers 19.8 acres, most of which is undeveloped. Current amenities include a paved basketball court, baseball field, batting cage, small swing sets and toddler-sized monkey bars.

Besides the new playground, other improvements could include two pavilions with picnic tables, barbecue pits and bleachers for the baseball field. St. Charles Parish Grants Officer Holly Fonseca said District VI Councilman Marcus M. Lambert would help the parish weigh community input in its plans to improve the park.

The area is ready for major changes, St. Pierre said. The addition also furthers parish efforts to improve recreational facilities.

“We want to be sure our recreation department is serving all segments of the community,” he said. “New subdivisions and population shifts after Katrina have brought many more families to Montz within the last three years, so we know the playground will be well-used.”

The improvements will help provide a safe atmosphere for families to congregate and children to play constructively, fostering a sense of community, he said.

Officials estimate improvements will be complete by early 2009.

The mission of St. Charles Parish government is to provide high quality, efficient services to sustain and enhance the quality of life for all residents of St. Charles Parish.

Directions to Montz Park – From I-310 South, exit onto Airline Highway traveling west. Continue over the Bonnet Carre spillway overpass. Immediately after exiting the overpass, take a left on CCC Road. Montz Park is located on Calcagno Street, on the right the second set of tracks.

For more information, contact Renee C. Allemand, St. Charles Parish Public Information Officer, at (985) 783-5000 or rallemand@stcharlesgov.net.