Mayor Simeon highlights new cultural, parks and events investments in Lake Charles

Mayor Marshall Simeon used the update to highlight a string of recent cultural and recreation milestones and preview upcoming events. He said the city celebrated the opening of the LNG Center of Excellence at McNeese State University and cut the ribbon on a new Mardi Gras Museum on Enterprise Boulevard that he described as "now home to the largest display of Mardi Gras costumes in the world."

Simeon also announced the city broke ground at Lock Park, which he described as an all-inclusive park for children of varying abilities, and that Millennium Park has reopened after installation of new turf. He reported that Obed Buddy Prejean Park was rehabilitated and that local student athletes now have a home field for sanctioned Louisiana High School Athletic Association baseball and softball games; the park also received a nine-hole disc golf course and other upgrades.

The mayor praised the Lake Charles Event Center staff and local law enforcement after five consecutive weekends of Ticketmaster events, saying the events — including performances and festivals such as a Katt Williams show, a Randy Travis tribute concert, This is Home Fest and Barbe High School's prom — were executed successfully with no major incidents. He said the city and Mardi Gras Southwest Louisiana reached an agreement to move parades earlier on Mardi Gras Day to help keep citizens safe while maintaining the regular lineup on other days.

Looking ahead, Simeon previewed the groundbreaking for the new I-10 Calcasieu River Bridge, the return of "Downtown at Sundown," and new attractions coming to Riverside Park this summer. He closed the address by thanking event staff and law enforcement and asking residents to "stay tuned" for more updates.