Property is donated for a park

By News Staff on Thursday, August 17, 2023
  • After the Pine Prairie Council meeting on Thursday, August 10, a donation of property was signed. Pictured standing on the left (from right) are Councilwoman Tammy Buxton, Kristy Ardoin, and Councilmen Kevin Rodriguez and Gilbert Bordelon; seated on the left (from right) are Mayor Quint West and Chief of Police LC Deshotel; standing on the right are Village Attorney Greg Vidrine and Lelia and Derrick Thrasher. (Gazette photo by Tony Marks)
    After the Pine Prairie Council meeting on Thursday, August 10, a donation of property was signed. Pictured standing on the left (from right) are Councilwoman Tammy Buxton, Kristy Ardoin, and Councilmen Kevin Rodriguez and Gilbert Bordelon; seated on the left (from right) are Mayor Quint West and Chief of Police LC Deshotel; standing on the right are Village Attorney Greg Vidrine and Lelia and Derrick Thrasher. (Gazette photo by Tony Marks)

    By: TONY MARKS
    Editor
    A dream of Pine Prairie Mayor Quint West finally came to fruition after an agreement was signed where the Johnson family donated 10 acres to the village for a park. The agreement was signed on Thursday, August 10, following the meeting of the Village Council.
    Mayor West plans for the property to be developed to house splash pads, an educational center, a stage area, a playground area, and a walking track.
    “We’re going all out on it,” he said. “We want something the whole parish can use, and it’s going to bring in some revenue.”
    Mayor West stated he has been trying to get property on La. Highway 13 to be donated to the village, but, as he said, “it’s hard to get that.”
    The village, over the years, has applied for and has been approved for different grants for a park. However, the grants were not received because the village did not own the property.
    The mayor, after multiple attempts with other property owners, turned to Lelia and Derrick Thrasher. “I went to them and told them our situation, and Lelia (the daughter of former Evangeline Parish Police Juror in District 4 Lamar Johnson and current Evangeline Parish Police Juror in District 4) said they want Pine Prairie to thrive as much as anybody. So, they decided to give us the 10 acres.”
    He continued, “I’m just so thankful for the Johnson family for always supporting us no matter what it was. Over the years, I could ask, and they were always there.”
    The park will eventually be the new home for the village’s Christmas celebration.
    “We are on the highway, and it’s not a good place to be,” said Mayor West.
    Mayor West went on to say, “It just gives us more room. We can expand now. Pine Prairie can grow a little bit.”