In a world of diminishing third spaces, public parks have become more important than ever as a shared community resource. Up in North Louisiana, Caddo Parish Parks and Recreation has recently made significant investments in their recreation spaces—unlocking precious natural resources including old-growth forestland and iconic Caddo Lake to serve as popular destinations for gathering, lingering, and resting awhile. Thoughtful upgrades and additions have increased the educational value, as well as the comfort, offered by long-established public parks—which remain free to access for all. Whether you’re looking for in-person encounters with birds of prey, to play cornhole without the sun beating down your back, or to test your skill on sinuous mountain biking trails—you can find it, and more, in the Shreveport-Bossier area.
Walter B. Jacobs Nature Center
Shreveport, LA
Since 1975, a rare tract of unspoiled old-growth forest in North Louisiana has been cared for by the Caddo Parish Parks and Recreation Commission. The 160-acre property is home to more than five hundred species of native plants and diverse wildlife, including 150 species of birds. For more than fifty years, visitors have been invited to experience the area via five miles of walking trails and now a brand new, $20 million nature center, one of the finest in the South.
Using a series of immersive multi-media exhibits, the new Nature Center showcases the features that make this property a treasure, helping visitors to interpret what they’re seeing while they wander its paths: honing in on wonders like the complex and seasonal habitats created by vernal pools, the longstanding effects of lighting on a loblolly pine, and the life cycle of an alligator.
Don’t miss one of the Nature Center’s most remarkable features: the aviary. Since its early days, the Nature Center has served as a refuge for rehabilitated birds of prey, which are trained to take part in educational programming such as the beloved local tradition of Owl Night. Held each February, this event is a perennial favorite that features live owl encounters, guided night hikes, and presentations from local naturalists about these fascinating birds.
The Center is open Tuesday–Saturday from 9 am–5:30 pm, and on Sunday from noon–5 pm. Admission is $8; $5 for seniors 65 and older, veterans and active military, students ages 3–18, and college students with an ID. Admission is free for outdoor spaces and trails. Learn more at walterbjacobsnaturecenter.org.
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Earl G. Williamson Park
Earl G. Williamson Park
Oil City, LA
Situated right on Caddo Lake, Earl G. Williamson Park—which is sporting a sparkly new $1.1 million makeover—offers roadside respite for weary travelers, a spirited camping destination for adventurous families, and a gathering place the surrounding community can be proud of.
There’s a public boat ramp for launching fishermen onto historic Caddo Lake, but for those who prefer to cast from dry land, there is also a brand new, 203-foot floating pier, which doubles as a popular perch for birdwatching, too. Even in the thick of a Louisiana summer, the heat won’t be a deterrent at Earl G. Williamson, which just installed a new shaded playground designed for children of all abilities, as well as more than thirty shaded picnic spots. Visitors can also enjoy use of a lighted baseball field, a cornhole court, and a 9-hole disc golf course. Grills invite families and groups to stay a while, with well-maintained bathrooms and camping hook-ups.
A standout when it comes to public recreation sites, the park has become the regular site for community events such as Easter egg hunts, disc golf tournaments, and major festivals —including the almost-fifty-year-old Oil City Gusher Days Festival each spring, and the annual Christmas on Caddo Fireworks Festival.
Entry and access to most of the recreational amenities at Earl G. Williamson Park, including the boat launch, are free for day use. RV sites are $12 per night (includes water and electric hookups) and primitive camping is $6 per night. Learn more at visitshreveportbossier.org/listing/earl-g-williamson-park.
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Pearl, a resident of Chimp Haven at Eddie D. Jones Park
Eddie D. Jones Park
Keithville, LA
Perhaps offering one of North Louisiana’s wildest park experiences, Eddie D. Jones Park is all about the journey. Explorers can wander through more than 800 acres of mature hardwood forest on a network of more than twenty miles of trails designed for hiking, horseback riding, and mountain biking of varying skill -levels—making it a favorite site for community trail runs, bike races, and other adventure recreation programs. For more family-oriented and group outings, the park also offers a playground, a cornhole court, a basketball court, an 18-hole disc golf course, and a covered picnic area.
Eddie D. Jones Park’s biggest claim to fame, though, is its status as home to Chimp Haven—a 200-acre sanctuary housing more than 300 chimpanzees once used for biomedical research, now living out their best lives as part of a bonded community, climbing trees and exploring at their own whims with access to excellent veterinary care and enrichment activities. The sanctuary is open to the public for private tours, starting at a required minimum donation of $500 for up to six guests.
The park is open daily from 6 am–9 pm, and admission is free. Learn more at visitshreveportbossier.org/listing/eddie-d-jones-park.
