St. Bernard State Park is a

state park State parks are parks or other protected areas managed at the sub-national level within those nations which use "Federated state, state" as a political subdivision. State parks are typically established by a state to preserve a location on accou ...

located in the

American American(s) may refer to: * American, something of, from, or related to the United States of America, commonly known as the "United States" or "America" ** Americans, citizens and nationals of the United States of America ** American ancestry, p ...

state of

Louisiana Louisiana ( ; ; ) is a state in the Deep South and South Central regions of the United States. It borders Texas to the west, Arkansas to the north, and Mississippi to the east. Of the 50 U.S. states, it ranks 31st in area and 25 ...

, on a tract of land in

St. Bernard Parish St. Bernard Parish (; ) is a List of parishes in Louisiana, parish in the U.S. state of Louisiana. The parish seat and largest community is Chalmette, Louisiana, Chalmette. The parish was formed in 1807. St. Bernard Parish is part of the New Or ...

, between the towns of Poydras and Caernarvon. Though located only approximately eighteen miles southeast of

New Orleans New Orleans (commonly known as NOLA or The Big Easy among other nicknames) is a Consolidated city-county, consolidated city-parish located along the Mississippi River in the U.S. state of Louisiana. With a population of 383,997 at the 2020 ...

, attendance had been fledgling at the park for years, ranking among the least visited in the state.

History

The St. Bernard State Park was created in 1971 when the land that the park sits on was donated to the state by local businessman and former State Senator

Lynn Dean Lynn Blackwell Dean (December 22, 1923 – July 6, 2022) was an American politician from Louisiana. Dean was born on December 22, 1923. He graduated from Warren Easton High School in New Orleans, Louisiana in 1940. He became a marine engineer, ...

and his wife Jackie. The park operated for 34 years as the only state park in the St. Bernard/

Plaquemines Parish Plaquemines Parish ( ; ; ; ) is a parish located in the U.S. state of Louisiana. With a population of 23,515 at the 2020 census, the parish seat is Pointe à la Hache and the largest community is Belle Chasse. The parish was formed in 1807. ...

area until it was severely damaged by storm surge from the levee failures during

Hurricane Katrina Hurricane Katrina was a powerful, devastating and historic tropical cyclone that caused 1,392 fatalities and damages estimated at $125 billion in late August 2005, particularly in the city of New Orleans and its surrounding area. ...

. The park (along with Fort Pike State Historic Site) remained closed for more than a year due to the severe damage but is now in full operation for camping, birdwatching and day use.

Facilities

St. Bernard State Park includes the following facilities as compared to that which is available at certain other Louisiana state parks as well as a waterpark and playground for children:

Restoration

St. Bernard State Park suffered extensive damage as a result of Hurricane Katrina. The park was re-opened with a ceremony Tuesday, December 19, 2006 at 4 p.m. with ceremonies by then Lt. Gov.

Mitch Landrieu Mitchell Joseph Landrieu ( ; born August 16, 1960) is an American lawyer and politician who served as Mayor of New Orleans from 2010 to 2018. A member of the Democratic Party, he previously served as Lieutenant Governor of Louisiana from 2004 t ...

, local dignitaries, local choirs, followed by hayride tours of the site, coffee, hot chocolate and cookies.

References

External links

St. Bernard State ParkOfficial Facebook Page
{{authority control State parks of Louisiana Protected areas on the Mississippi River Protected areas of St. Bernard Parish, Louisiana

History

Facilities

Restoration

See also

References

External links