Rebuilding Millennium Park

Rebuilding the Millennium Park

 

The Shiver Me Timbers Millennium Park in Lake Charles, Louisiana opened in September of 2000.  “The building of the children’s park originally began as a project called “The Millennium Project “as a way for the community to celebrate the new millennium. Community development company, Lathers, helped develop the park by engaging the public’s input and guided what the community would like to see in the park. Lathers and other local businesses had donated money and supplies to help build the children’s park that was completed in a 10-day period”,said Laurie Mench, Executive Director of Downtown Development of Lake Charles, LA.  During its process, there was over 5500 volunteers from the community that worked 12 hours a day to build the 20,000 square foot park that featured a tower tree house, train, plane and other features that was made of splinter-free wood. For over 10 years, the Lake Charles Millennium Park was a great place for people of the community as well as tourist to celebrate birthday parties, special events, and enjoy any outdoor activity.

In January of 2011, an overnight fire destroyed much of the Shiver Me Timbers Millennium Park. Lake Charles Firefighters received the call shortly after 5 a.m. arriving to discover at least half of the south end of the park burned to the ground. Investigators on the scene took samples with assistance from the state fire marshal's office and officials believe the cause of the fire was arson. Damages from the fire were estimated at $190,000. After investigating the incident, it was found that local teenager, Seth Arceneaux, was playing with a lighter that started the blaze to burn down the Lake Charles attraction. Seth Arceneaux, was arrested and charged with simple arson and was held on a bond of $60,000. Many Lake Charles residents shared happy memories of taking their children to the park and were outraged by the loss of such a wonderful Lake Charles attraction. More than 24 hours after an arson fire destroyed much of the Millennium Park, the Mayor of Lake Charles and city officials began developing a plan to move forward and rebuild.

During a 2 week period, recruitment began in gathering people to help rebuild the Millennium Park. A crisis plan for the park was previously developed so creating a blueprint for the new park was already available, which sped up it building process. The “Help Rebuild Millennium Park Project” began on October 26^th  through  October 30^th  and November 2^nd  through the 6^th bringing the Lake Charles community together to make the new children’s park bigger and better than before. More than $400,000 was raised and over 5,000 volunteers came to begin restoring and rebuilding the Millennium Park.  The Lake Charles Department Parks and Recreations area assistant supervisor, Helen Lewis said, “Our role in helping contribute to the park’s rebuilding was with child care. While many committees and work units were volunteering at the park site, we were able to care for the children of those individuals by providing them with lunch, arts and crafts, and games from 7:00 A.M. to 7:00 P.M.”

On March 23, 2013, the quest for a new and improved Millennium Park, now also called Bord Du Lac Park, was accomplished with its ribbon cut grand opening. The new park is not only gated but it's also under 24-hour safety surveillance unlike the previous one. The park playground equipment includes: A pirate’s ship, tree house, rock climbing wall, maze bridge, tunnel, monkey bars and swings.  It also features a rubberized surface that runs throughout the playground to maximize safety and the playground is for children of all play abilities. There is also a separate play area designed for toddlers, fossil dig pit, splash park, picnic area and shaded seating for parents dispersed throughout the park. From the swings, slides and giant rope climbs, the kids wasted no time exploring their new park. (http://www.thefortpolkguardian.com/view/full_story/22599757/article-Children-experience-loads-of-fun-at-Lake-Charles-Millennium-Park-)

 

 

The new Millennium park hours of operation for the summer season are April through October, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. and for the winter season its November to March, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.