07/Mar/2008
Greenwell Springs Park BREC Plans Provide Family Fun And Historical Site for Central
By Emily Faget
Imagine the perfect vacation: picnics on the beach, relaxing strolls down scenic trails, and friendly baseball games with the kids. Most destinations such as this take hours of travel to reach. But BREC plans to build the perfect family getaway in Central’s backyard.
The Greenwell Springs Park, located behind Greenwell Springs Hospital, will be an 84-acre community park with a beach on the Amite River.
“People in Central are excited about this project,” said Ted Jack, BREC’s director of Planning and Engineering. “It’s something for the whole community.”
BREC built a number of “neighborhood parks” in Central – small parks located within individual residential areas. Recently, BREC started to build larger park areas with more activities families can enjoy for the entire day. The Greenwell Springs Park is no exception. Besides a beach, the park will have long and scenic nature trails, baseball fields and grassy picnic areas.
Rich in History
Greenwell Springs Park will have more to offer than scenery. The area is also rich in Louisiana history. There are ten natural hot springs located on the grounds. Native Americans in the area used these springs for relaxation and healing.
William Crenshaw and William Pike, Jr. settled the land in 1853. These men turned the grounds into a first-class resort. Louisiana bureaucrats gathered for parties in the grand ballroom and relaxing bathhouses.
After settlers discovered that the springs contained medicinal minerals, they established an infirmary on the grounds as well. Many common diseases were treated at this infirmary, from yellow fever to arthritis.
Each spring was believed to have a different healing power, Bill Palmer, BREC executive director, said.
Confederate’s Safe Haven
Everything changed when the Civil War ravaged the South. The hotel grounds became a safe haven for Confederate refugees.
In 1862 the hotel was converted into a field house for wounded Confederate soldiers. Civilians tended to the sick with whatever supplies they could find. In fact, many soldiers were buried on the grounds in unmarked graves.
The grand hotel was unable to withstand the war, although an attempt was made to rebuild it.
With the hotel gone, the springs did not lose their medicinal appeal. A tuberculosis hospital was built soon after the war and is the present site of Greenwell Springs Hospital.
Long Way to Go
BREC wants Louisiana to experience those 87 acres, untouched for more than 100 years.
Palmer plans to eventually restore the historical bathhouses of the past. “This land has great history, not just for Central, but for East Baton Rouge and all of Louisiana. I’d love to see it restored,” he said.
BREC has a long way to go before this vision is realized. They stand in the first phase of development, which calls for approval from the state. After this step, the community can become involved.
Central public meetings and forums will call for all community ideas and concerns. “We want to work with and help the city of Central so that they can enjoy this park,” said Kristi Williams, BREC communications director.
If the Central community approves of Greenwell Springs Park, BREC will welcome public bids for project construction. If all goes according to plan, the park could be open in less than two years.
For more information on BREC events visit: www.brec.org/
By Emily Faget
Imagine the perfect vacation: picnics on the beach, relaxing strolls down scenic trails, and friendly baseball games with the kids. Most destinations such as this take hours of travel to reach. But BREC plans to build the perfect family getaway in Central’s backyard.
The Greenwell Springs Park, located behind Greenwell Springs Hospital, will be an 84-acre community park with a beach on the Amite River.
“People in Central are excited about this project,” said Ted Jack, BREC’s director of Planning and Engineering. “It’s something for the whole community.”
BREC built a number of “neighborhood parks” in Central – small parks located within individual residential areas. Recently, BREC started to build larger park areas with more activities families can enjoy for the entire day. The Greenwell Springs Park is no exception. Besides a beach, the park will have long and scenic nature trails, baseball fields and grassy picnic areas.
Rich in HistoryGreenwell Springs Park will have more to offer than scenery. The area is also rich in Louisiana history. There are ten natural hot springs located on the grounds. Native Americans in the area used these springs for relaxation and healing.
William Crenshaw and William Pike, Jr. settled the land in 1853. These men turned the grounds into a first-class resort. Louisiana bureaucrats gathered for parties in the grand ballroom and relaxing bathhouses.
After settlers discovered that the springs contained medicinal minerals, they established an infirmary on the grounds as well. Many common diseases were treated at this infirmary, from yellow fever to arthritis.
Each spring was believed to have a different healing power, Bill Palmer, BREC executive director, said.
Confederate’s Safe Haven Everything changed when the Civil War ravaged the South. The hotel grounds became a safe haven for Confederate refugees.
In 1862 the hotel was converted into a field house for wounded Confederate soldiers. Civilians tended to the sick with whatever supplies they could find. In fact, many soldiers were buried on the grounds in unmarked graves.
The grand hotel was unable to withstand the war, although an attempt was made to rebuild it.
With the hotel gone, the springs did not lose their medicinal appeal. A tuberculosis hospital was built soon after the war and is the present site of Greenwell Springs Hospital.
Long Way to Go
BREC wants Louisiana to experience those 87 acres, untouched for more than 100 years.
Palmer plans to eventually restore the historical bathhouses of the past. “This land has great history, not just for Central, but for East Baton Rouge and all of Louisiana. I’d love to see it restored,” he said.
BREC has a long way to go before this vision is realized. They stand in the first phase of development, which calls for approval from the state. After this step, the community can become involved.
Central public meetings and forums will call for all community ideas and concerns. “We want to work with and help the city of Central so that they can enjoy this park,” said Kristi Williams, BREC communications director.
If the Central community approves of Greenwell Springs Park, BREC will welcome public bids for project construction. If all goes according to plan, the park could be open in less than two years.
For more information on BREC events visit: www.brec.org/
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