More than $230,000 in improvements are on their way to parks in Lake Arthur thanks to recently approved state grants.

The funds will help enhance the entrance way to Lake Arthur Park and provide new playground equipment for Lake Arthur Park and West End Park.

The town has received a $6,970 beautification grant award from Keep Louisiana Beautiful to fund improvements to the entrance of the Lake Arthur Park located at the end of Arthur Avenue.

“This summer, we had two volunteers, Evette and Evelyn Broussard, offer to paint the welcome sign at the entrance,” Alderwoman Debbie Abshire said. “It was mentioned thereafter that landscaping around the sign would enhance the entrance way.”

“When this grant opportunity came along, it was the perfect opportunity for us to make an aesthetically appeasing entrance to welcome everyone to our downtown area,” she continued. “This grant opportunity allows the town to make improvements to our beautiful park, which is a much used attraction to locals and visitors.”

The project will include adding new landscaping with perennial plants and shrubbery to the entrance of the park. Irrigation work will also be included as part of the project.

The work is expected to begin by the end of the year and must be completed by May, Abshire said.

The purpose of the Keep Louisiana Beautiful Beautification Grant is to create beautiful, well-maintained gardens and plantings to promote community pride and improve the appearance of community throughout Louisiana.

In a related matter, the town is also moving forward with the installation of new playground equipment at the Lake Arthur Park and West End Ballpark.

Plans for the parks include new swings and other playground equipment and safety padding to be added to Lake Arthur Park and West End Ballpark located on the corner of Iowa Avenue and Sixth Street.

The project is being supported by a $225,000 grant from the Love Louisiana Outdoors Program, funded with Community Development Block Grant-COVID from the CARES Act. The grant was initially submitted to the state last year by former mayor Sherry Crochet.

Kincade Recreation of Livingston, Texas is expected to begin installing the equipment by mid-November.

The goal of the Love Louisiana Outdoors Grant is to have applicants use the money to provide suitable space for activity to encourage physical distancing and support social distancing guidance.