Nellie Lutcher Memorial Park Groundbreaking Ceremony took place on Wednesday, April 26, 2003, at 2 o’clock in the afternoon at 702 Enterprise Blvd. in the heart of the Nellie Lutcher Cultural District. The neighborhood was designed based on the history of jazz legend Nellie Lutcher herself. To appreciate the Nellie Lutcher Memorial Park, one has to first understand where it all started.

In November 2019, the Nellie Lutcher Better Block project generated enthusiasm to create bike paths, public art, green space, and new businesses in the Nellie Lutcher Cultural District.“There’s so much rich history here to highlight so we really wanted to celebrate arts and culture, and hopefully tie that in,” said Sara Judson, CEO of the Community Foundation of Southwest Louisiana.

The Nellie Lutcher Cultural District was established in 2015 and received official certification from the State of Louisiana in 2016. The District is bounded by 7th Street and Railroad Avenue to the north and south and Ryan Street and Enterprise Boulevard to the east and west. The City of Lake Charles’ Enterprise Boulevard Economic Development District, established under the Hunter Administration in 2018, will also benefit from the addition of the park.

originally published on the city of lake charles website on April 26, 2003

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While it will not feature playground equipment, the park will have several unique design elements that are not currently available at any other City parks.

“The Nellie Lutcher Memorial Park will feature a stage, outlined with piano keys to pay homage to Nellie Lutcher. It will also feature a mural of Nellie Lutcher, someone who has meant so much to the cultural fabric of this community,” said Mayor Nic Hunter. “In addition to the stage and special landscaping features, the park will also include connectivity for food trucks, making this an ideal location to host community events.”

“As a lifelong resident I remember the heyday of Enterprise Boulevard,” said District B Lake Charles City Councilwoman Luvertha August. “I am thrilled beyond words to see this area taking on a new life and being redeveloped with a series of new projects. The Nellie Lutcher Memorial Park will add a key quality of life component back to this corridor, attracting new and old visitors alike.”

The park is being funded by both City of Lake Charles and Community Development Block Grant Funds and is expected to be completed by the end of this summer.