Parks, LA — The call for a new library in the growing town of Parks is gaining momentum, as local residents and officials advocate for a modern, spacious facility to meet the needs of the community. The current library, which is small and outdated, has become inadequate as the population of Parks increases, particularly with the influx of new families and children.
Kevin Hypolite, a St. Martin Parish native who grew up in Breaux Bridge, emphasized the importance of an updated library for the educational development of local youth. “This would be good for the kids to have, updated information, updated equipment, more tools to help further their education,” Hypolite said. He noted that while Breaux Bridge residents have shared their frustrations about the small size of the current library, the issue is even more pressing now that Parks is expanding.
The Parks community has long been advocating for a new library, and their push gained traction after the St. Martin Parish Library Board approved the idea for an upgrade. However, Charlar Brew, director of the St. Martin Parish Library, explained that the final decision lies with the Parish Council. “The council has to decide, and it is the council’s decision to decide if we can build a Parks branch library or not,” Brew said. Brew also noted the lack of legal documentation proving ownership of the existing library building, complicating the process further.
Parks Mayor Kevin Kately expressed optimism ahead of an upcoming council meeting where he, Brew, and community members plan to present their case for a new library. Kately highlighted the urgent need for more space to accommodate the activities and educational programs already offered at the current library. “It needs to be upgraded. We need more space. We have so many things and activities that happen in Parks inside the library, but we don’t have any space for the kids to come,” Kately explained.
The idea of building a new library in Parks has been discussed for several years, and community leaders believe that now is the right time to take action. With the recent millage renewal that allocated 70% of funds to a new jail and 30% to the library system, there is a belief that sufficient funding is available to move forward with the project. Brew suggested that the remaining funds from the renewal could be used to build a branch in Parks.
Council member Yvonne Narcisse voiced the community’s growing frustration, noting, “We’ve been asking for about eight years now. We want action.” The continued push for a new library reflects the community’s desire to ensure that the needs of its expanding population are met and that local children have access to the resources they need to succeed.
The future of the Parks library will be discussed at a public meeting on Tuesday, February 18th, at 5 p.m. at the St. Martin Parish Government Office. Local residents are encouraged to attend and voice their support for the project as the community continues to advocate for a brighter, more educationally equipped future for Parks.