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To present development plans for Miller Quarters Park and gather community feedback, the Webster Parish Convention & Visitors Board held two public forums on July 18. Representatives from Parish Line Architects and CARBO Landscape Architecture provided detailed slideshows illustrating the proposed area and features of the project.
The park is estimated to cost between $7 million and $10 million and will be built in phases. Of note, Miller Quarters will be owned by the commission and developed with funds from a lodging tax collected from visitors. “This is a tourism project. The funds used to purchase this project are savings funds based on the revenue that lodging taxes bring to the community,” said Tourism Director Selena Gray. “The lodging tax is a tax paid by visitors. It is visitors who come to Webster Parish and stay in hotels, motels, campgrounds and short-term rentals. These taxes are collected to help Tourism establish a marketing plan to bring more visitors to the community.”
Beyond the hotel tax revenue, the commission is looking at additional funding options, including grants and sponsorships. “It’s going to take a collaborative effort of private funding and grants to make this happen,” commission Chairman Ty Pendergrass said.
The project aims to be inclusive and community-driven, and will feature architectural designs and a feedback form on its tourism website. “We want to hear what you all want to see. We want to be creative. We want to be inclusive. We want to make this a beautiful asset for our community,” Gray added.
Mayor Nick Cox emphasized that the project is not using city funds: “It’s not city funds or a city project. This is tourism and the money they raise doesn’t go into the city budget at all. That being said, I think this is a good thing for the city. This will be an asset to the city of Minden and Webster Parish.”
The park design includes boardwalks, walking and biking trails, a splash pad, an amphitheater, a playground with fountains, and multiple restroom facilities. The shady food truck pavilion, a dog park with separate zones for small and large dogs, and the use of natural materials aim to reflect the history and aesthetics of the area. Architecture will incorporate local styles, such as shotgun houses and butterfly roofs.
Miller Quarters, which the commission purchased in 2022, has historical significance dating back to the 1930s, when Joe Miller built 60 low-income housing units, and the new plans also include a small museum to educate the public about this history.
The development of Miller Quarters Park promises to enhance the community’s recreational options while maintaining its historical significance, and the Commission’s proactive approach to fundraising and community engagement highlights the Commission’s commitment to creating a valuable asset for Webster Parish.
Currently, the park is free to use, but reservations are required. Once developed, fees will apply. For more information on park reservations, contact the Tourism Bureau at 318-377-4240.