Bastrop Parks and Recreation
1927 • 2009
The Bastrop Parks and Recreation had its beginning in 1927 when a group of mothers, concerned about the number of drownings from swimming in the bayou, started the wheels to rolling on the thought of developing a park and swimming pool for their children. With the help of councilmen W.H. Todd Jr., W. E. Turpin, Hugo Spier, J.B. Rawlinson, J.R. Ludlum and Mayor A. G. McBride, the city purchased what is now known as East Madison Park, twelve acres of land located at the corner of East Madison and Elm.
On July 5, 1927 the town of Bastrop adopted Ordinance No. 708. This was an ordinance creating a Park Commission of six (6) members. The commission consisted of Mayor A. G. McBride, Chairman of the Commission, Mrs. J.B. Rawlinson Sr., Mrs. Pleasant Montgomery, Mrs. Ora Ross and others.
East Madison Park was the Bastrop Park System for 22 years, until, during the administration of Mayor George H. Goodwin, (1949-1953), Mrs. Emilea Clark donated 6 acres to the City for a park and playground. This land was to be called Emilea Clark Park and Naff Playground. At this time, (1949), the first recreation program started with Crawford Little as Summer Director. This program was Little League Baseball.
In 1954, Mrs. Mildred Moore, Chairman of the Recreation and Park Division, Mr. Hoffman Jones, Chairman of the citizens committee, along with members E. W. Smith, J. Smith, Henry Adams, and Jacob Seligman recommended both park sites of Dotson and Forrest Parks to the Recreation Board. Using their recommendation, June 27, 1955 the City Council purchased from the Dotson heirs, 20 acres of land for $19,000.00 now Dotson Park, and 8.6 acres from Cornella Brock for $8100.00, now Forrest Park.
The City accepted the donation and maintenance of Gladney Park off Country Club Road by the Charles Gladney Family on November 8, 1960. This was a walk-thru park with a water fountain in the center.
On the 13th day of December, 1966, Mr. Bob Ouelette, Chariman of the Recreation Board, recommended to the City Council that the City of Bastrop buy the O.E. Montgomery Property for a park. At the same time, Mr. Moeller went to the Bureau of Outdoor Recreation and requested that they enter into an agreement with the City of Bastrop to purchase 23 acres of land for a park, plus an access lot for entrance to the park from East Madison Street. Six months later, July 24, 1967, the Council empowered the Mayor to sign the deed to the property. The site inside the City Limits of Bastrop would be known as A. P. Carter Memorial Park as a lasting tribute to the former Mayor.
In 1967 Welch Street Playground was constructed.
On December 1, 1973, Arthur E. Jones, a graduate of Southern University in Baton Rouge, was hired as Recreation Supervisor. This job included helping with the Dotson Park Recreation Program, and also the organization of all recreational programs in the Bastrop Park and Recreational system. After 3 years of hard work, Arthur Jones was promoted to Assistant Superintendent of Parks and Recreation. In 1978 Mr. Jones was promoted to Director of Parks and Recreation. Arthur Jones became Superintendent of Parks and Recreation and Public Works in 1991 where served until his retirement on April 30, 2008. Mr. Jones served this department for over 34 years.
Located at the corner of Henry Street and Jackson Street, 5 acres, was converted into Griffin Park in 1976 under the administration of Mayor John Bond.
Forrest Park was renamed and dedicated as a memorial to the late Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on June 19, 1987. Ralph George Park, 3 acres, located off Meeks Street, was donated to the City of Bastrop in 1998 by Mr. Ivory Smith and Mrs. Lula Davenport Smith. This park was named after the late Mr. Ralph Otto Davenport and Mr. George Washington Smith.
The people of Bastrop make up the Bastrop Parks and Recreation Department and working together we can make this department, not "As good as, but better than", others in Recreation. We can and will make this Recreation Department for everyone, and we will continue in making Bastrop the City of "Spirit, Pride, and Progress"!
