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Council approves cooperative agreement to create Bayou Terrebonne trailhead; nonprofit says project is privately funded
Summary
Council authorized a cooperative endeavor agreement enabling the Houma Downtown Development Corporation and Hash Grant Association to construct a paddle launch trailhead on Bayou Terrebonne; the project's president said the trailhead will be privately funded through local fundraisers and could spur future grant applications.
The Terrebonne Parish Consolidated Government approved an ordinance introduction authorizing the parish president or administration to execute a cooperative endeavor agreement with the Houma Downtown Development Corporation (HDDC) and Hash Grant Association, Inc. (HGA) to create a Bayou Terrebonne trailhead that would serve as the trailhead for a planned Terrebonne Parish paddle loop. The item was moved, seconded and adopted on a unanimous vote; a public hearing on the ordinance was set for July 30, 2025 at 6:30 p.m.
Manny Merlose, identified in the record as president of the Hash Grant Association and a resident of Houma, told the council the trailhead project has been in development for several years and will be privately funded using proceeds from two annual fundraisers: the Maw Maw Walker in October and a Bayou Terrebonne boucherie in March. He said the initial launch will be behind People's Drug and is intended to increase public access to Bayou Terrebonne for kayaking and fishing.
Merlose said the trailhead will help the group pursue state paddle‑trail grants and could attract private businesses interested in kayak rentals or kiosks similar to projects in nearby parishes. Council members asked about possible private rental operations and navigability limits; Merlose said private operators have already expressed interest and that establishing the first trailhead is intended to spur wider trail development and future grant eligibility.
Why this matters: the project aims to expand public access to local waterways and could generate economic activity through recreation-related rentals and increased visitation to Bayou Terrebonne. The council called a public hearing to allow broader community input before final ordinance adoption.
