The Webster Parish Convention and Visitors Commission met on May 16 for their quarterly board meeting, where they reviewed plans for the redevelopment of Miller Quarters Park. The architects from Parish Line presented their comprehensive design for the park, which incorporates elements from a project by design students at Louisiana Tech.
Miller Quarters, purchased by the Commission in 2022, dates back to the 1930s when Joe Miller built 60 low-income houses and rented them for $5 a week. The new development plan includes a small museum to educate the public about this history.
The proposed design features a promenade at the main entrance and various walking and biking trails offering different experiences throughout the park. Water features such as bridges and low-head dam barriers will help with flood management and provide crossing points. An amphitheater, playground with a water fountain pad, and multiple restroom facilities are also part of the plan. The design includes entrances from various sides of the park and explores additional parking options.
Shaded areas at a food truck pavilion, a dog park with separate zones for small and large dogs, and the use of natural materials like bald cypress and raw steel aim to create a cohesive look that reflects the area’s history. The architecture will mirror local styles, including shotgun houses and butterfly roofs.
Projected costs for the park range from $7 million to $10 million, with the project designed to be built in stages. Executive Director Serena Gray is researching grants and potential sponsorships to fund the project. “We went into this project saying, ‘Let’s dream big, and if we need to scale it back, we can,’” said Gray.
A mural celebrating Miller Quarters will soon be painted on a wall along Lee Street.
Tourism plans to present the project to the mayor, city council, and planning department before surveying the public for input on prioritizing development phases. A public forum will also be held for community members to review the plans and ask questions, with the date yet to be set.