News
- Final debris pickup: November 30
- Why are some trees being marked with paint?
- BREC Breaks Ground on Phase One Improvements to Milford Wampold Memorial Park Formerly Known as Baton Rouge Beach and Stanford Avenue Park
Milford Wampold Memorial Park, formerly known as Stanford Avenue Park and Baton Rouge Beach broke ground for Phase One Improvements on July 17, 2008. Phase One Improvements include a new asphalt parking lot, reconfigured to provide more green space in the park, a new pedestrian bridge, and a new exercise station. The new exercise station was made possible by a donation from the Neighborhood Wal-Mart on Highland Road. All amenities will be ADA compliant including new sidewalks, benches and a new water fountain. Located at 901 Stanford Avenue, Milford Wampold Memorial Park is a favorite among many joggers and walkers in our community. 
The improvements, valued at $160,000, include expansion of the parking lot and construction of a small pedestrian-bicycle bridge at the south end of the park. Phase One improvements are shown above. (Click on each rendering for a larger image.)
A second phase of improvements (above), not included in the $160,000, calls for dredging the lakes using some of the dredged soil to expand the beach.
Under terms of a new 20-year lease with LSU to continue to operate Baton Rouge Beach, BREC will not be charged rent as long as it makes promised improvements to the park on LSU Lakes.
The lakes are currently very shallow, an average of 2.5 feet deep, with some pockets up to six feet deep. The Corps would like to get them to an average depth of five feet. To do that, parts of the lake system would be deepened to eight feet, requiring the removal of about a million cubic yards of material.The method for deepening the shallow lakes has not yet been determined. The project could cost between $7 million and $50 million, depending on the method chosen. According to Jason P. Soileau, Assistant Director of Physical Plant/Facility Services, unless something is done, the lakes will become progressively shallower, eventually reverting back to a swamp. He says, "The Lakes were partially dredged from 1979-1981; however, due to the unforeseen cypress stumps, they were limited in the amount of dredging that occurred. To date, sediment has built back up to the pre-dredge levels."
Even now, during the heat of the summer, the lack of oxygen in the shallow water threatens aquatic life in the lakes. Mark Wingate, corps senior project manager, explained at a recent meeting: "Shallow water gets hotter more quickly and the warmer water can’t hold as much dissolved oxygen. Low levels of oxygen in the lake can lead to fish kills."
According to an Army Corps of Engineers Web site:
The Lakes District System consists of seven urban lakes ranging in size from 3 to 195 acres with approximately 300 acres in total. The man-made lakes were formed in the 1930’s when cypress swamps were timbered and dammed. Expansion of residential development and the LSU campus surrounding the lakes led to the rapid development of infrastructure and drainage systems, which further subdivided the original lake into its present configuration of seven lakes. The aquatic ecosystem has undergone hydrologic modifications in past years due to unintentional (community development and expansion) human intervention. These activities and others have resulted in limited freshwater inflow and circulation, eutrophication*, sewage infiltration, stagnation, limited exchange of nutrients, sedimentation, collapsing drainage infrastructure, retreating bank edges, lack of depth and other factors that limit the performance and health of the aquatic ecosystem.
LSU and Corps are working on a plan to deepen the lakes to permanently fix the problem. One plan calls for the lakes to be drained and deepened using earth-moving equipment; the other would be to dredge the lake using a barge. If the lakes were drained, the deepening would take about a year and be less expensive ($7 million to $15 million) than dredging (and earth-moving would allow for easier removal of stumps that hindered work in 1978-81). Dredging from a barge could take two years and cost between $35 million and $50 million. Regardless of the method chosen, it would be up to the state legislature to appropriate funds for the state's share (35% of the total cost of the project). Once the project is completed, the Corps usually turns it over to the state for operation, maintenance, and repair.
(For more information, see: http://www.mvn.usace.army.mil/pd/projectsList/home.asp?projectID=5&directoryFilePath=ProjectData/.)
In addition to the work on the beach, the city-parish has also started a $105,000 roadwork project on Stanford Avenue and will eventual construct a median to run from nearly West Lakeshore Drive to South Lakeshore Drive. The median is intended to slow traffic in the area of the beach park and is a pilot project for the proposed city-parish Traffic Calming Program to reduce speeding through residential neighborhoods.
Developer Mike Wampold who is building a 165-unit condominium across from the park is constructing a new signaled crosswalk on Stanford Avenue near the middle of the park's frontage on Stanford. This will provide residents of his Crescent condominium and residents of University Hills and College Town with a safe way to cross the busy thoroughfare by bike or by foot.
* In case you were wondering, eutrophication, according to WordNet 3.0, means excessive nutrients in a lake or other body of water, usually caused by runoff of nutrients (animal waste, fertilizers, sewage) from the land, which causes a dense growth of plant life; the decomposition of the plants depletes the supply of oxygen, leading to the death of animal life.
- Of Rot, Ruts, and Renewal: the Story of a Median
Rot
Another pecan tree in the median in front of the subdivision has been cut down because of extensive rot. This tree is the last of three pecans on the median. All have succumbed to rot.
In 2005, during Katrina, one of the other pecan trees fell on a car. To partially replace the deceased foliage, we planted a new oak tree on that part of the median where the pecan trees once lived. The oak is dedicated to the memory of the late John LaPlante, president of the civic association from 2004 to 2006.
The dedication took place at the association’s annual general membership meeting May 18.
Ruts
Despite signs prohibiting parking on the median, some people still flout this regulation. Such illegal parking has left the median defaced with ruts that detract from its beauty. Let’s protect the entrance to our subdivision from despoilment by illegal parking.
Renewal
Aside from the new oak, more median improvements are being planned. Chris has announced that a new committee will be established to plan the future landscaping of the median. Dan Andrews has volunteered to chair the committee and will be asking for others to serve on the committee. If you’d like to volunteer, call Dan at 766-8885. 
BR Loop Community Information Site
The Baton Rouge Loop is a major road project to address traffic congestion in this region (Ascension, East Baton Rouge, Iberville, Livingston and West Baton Rouge Parishes). The Baton Rouge Loop Implementation Plan is open to the public and the public is encouraged to participate as much as possible. You can follow this project as it moves forward and give your feedback on its new official Web site: BRLoop.com.
Of special interest to this subdivision, one proposed route which would have brought a branch of the loop along Nicholson Drive from the south and then west of the LSU campus into downtown where it would cross the river near the I-10 bridge has now been eliminated.
East Baton Rouge Parish is funding the development of an Implementation Plan for a traffic loop. From May 2007 through May 2008, a team of industry leaders chosen by the East Baton Rouge Engineer Selection Board will determine, among other things, the Loop corridor and financing models for construction.
The process will be managed by the Loop Executive Committee, which consists of the Parish Presidents of Ascension, East Baton Rouge, Iberville, Livingston, and West Baton Rouge Parishes.
According to the Web site: "Traditional financing sources for transportation projects, the state and federal gas taxes, have been unable to keep up with transportation demands, a common national trend for large highway projects. In communities such as Baton Rouge, which has a high growth rate and ever-increasing traffic congestion, the need is critical for new financing models.
"East Baton Rouge and surrounding parish leaders recognize this situation and are exploring new models of finance, including tollways."- Connect-CTY
The Connect-CTY service allows authorized civic leaders to create and rapidly disseminate time-sensitive messages to every telephone number stored in the notification database. With the Connect-CTY service, authorized users can send thousands of messages in minutes. Only authorized officials are allowed access to the system.
Any message regarding the safety or welfare of our community would be disseminated using the Connect-CTY service. Examples would include severe weather warnings and updates, hazardous traffic or road conditions inside the town or affecting local routes, and any other situation that could impact the safety, property, or welfare of our citizens.
To learn more and sign up, click here. 
Capital Area Pathways Project
The Capital Area Pathways Project will identify routes for biking and walking trails and greenways and build a network of these paths throughout East Baton Rouge and surrounding Parishes. BREC says that trails were the most requested improvement during public meetings that preceded the development of BREC’s strategic plan.
On September 5, 2007, Ed McBrayer, from the Atlanta Path Foundation, spoke at a CAPP presentation at BREC's Administration Ballroom, 6201 Florida Boulevard. McBrayer has built a nationally-renowned model for spearheading bike trails via partnerships with local governments utilizing state and federal funds, building capital campaigns, and facilitating right-of-way acquisition. Atlanta's pathway program began in 1991. Its goal was to create "a network of off-road trails in and around Atlanta for walkers, runners, cyclists and skaters. A series of scenic greenways to preserve our region’s forested character and offer opportunities for families to enjoy nature together. A way to connect neighborhoods to each other, to get people out of their cars, to encourage healthier lifestyles and to improve our quality of life."
According to the Atlanta Path Foundation's Web site (http://www.pathfoundation.org), its trails are used by a larger percentage of the community and require less long-term maintenance than ballfields, tennis courts or other park facilities. In addition to preserving greenspace and providing alternative modes of transportation, trails also:
Deanna Cox from District 12 Councilman Mickey Skyring's office has sent us this notice about debris removal.
Subject: FW: PRESS RELEASE HURRICANE GUSTAV STORM DEBRIS CLEANUP
Date: Tuesday, 28 Oct 2008
From: "Deanna Goux (District 12)" <DGOUX@brgov.com>
Below is a press release with the dates of the final pass for removal of storm debris by Ceres Environmental Services, Inc. Our office has confirmed with DPW that the final pass would include the "mixed" piles of debris that contain construction debris (shingles, siding, concrete, etc.) with the woody debris. Thank you.
HURRICANE GUSTAV
STORM DEBRIS CLEANUP
PRESS RELEASE
The remaining schedule for the removal of storm debris from Hurricane Gustav is:
By Sunday, November 9, all residents are strongly encouraged to have all remaining storm debris placed at curbside for the final pass by Ceres Environmental Services, Inc., beginning Monday Nov. 10. Once crews have completed the final pass on a street after that date, citizens will be responsible for having any additional storm debris hauled away at their expense. This will give two full weekends to complete this task.
By Sunday, November 30, Ceres Environmental Services, Inc. will have completed the final pass of the City/Parish. No storm debris will be picked up by this contractor after this date. Subsequently, any storm related material will be the responsibility of the home owner after Nov. 30.
By Tuesday, December 23, Ceres Environmental Services, Inc. will have completed the last remaining portion of its contract, the removal of leaning trees, hanging branches and hazardous stumps within the City/Parish right-of-way. Ceres will remove the material generated by this task only. The completion of this task will end the project.
FEMA rules have been followed throughout the project, and the City/Parish will seek reimbursement from FEMA after the project is completed.
Deanna Goux
Legislative Assistant to Councilman Skyring
P. O. Box 1471
Baton Rouge, LA 70821
Phone: 389-4697
Fax: 389-8895
Deanna Cox from District 12 Councilman Mickey Skyring's office has sent us an explanation about the marking of trees with paint following Hurricane Gustav.
Subject: Marking of Trees
Date: Thu, 2 Oct 2008
From: "Deanna Goux (District 12)" <DGOUX@brgov.com>
We received an email from a constituent in Magnolia Woods who had questions about trees being marked with paint in his neighborhood. Councilman Skyring requested information about the reasons for the tree markings and under what authority from Steve Schurtz, Urban Forestry & Landscape Manager, EBR Department of Public Works, and would like to share that information with you. If you have noticed tree markings in your neighborhood, the response below from Steve Schrutz should clarify what is being done and why.
The tree marking is being done by a team of visiting arborists brought in by the La. Dept. of Ag. and Forestry and the US Forest Service. They are trained in hazard tree identification and are marking trees that require work as a result of storm damage from Gustav. They are professional ISA Certified Arborists from around the Southeast. Many work for state forestry offices in Georgia, Tennessee, Arkansas, and other states.
The trees being marked are all either in C/P rights-of-way, or immediately adjacent with the potential to fall or drop limbs into the right-of-way.
Green dots indicate that a tree has dangerous hanging limbs (2" or larger in diameter) which must be removed because they threaten the right-of-way. Red dots indicate trees that are recommended for removed due to significant storm damage (50% or more canopy loss, splits, or large wounds exposing heartwood).
Once the team has finished its assessment, we will be provided with a database of the damaged trees which we will then provide to a tree contractor in order to get the necessary work done in order to help protect the public from harm.
NO PRIVATE TREE(S) WILL BE REMOVED WITHOUT PRIOR APPROVAL OF THE OWNER(S) and ALL trees recommended for removal will be reviewed by me (even the ones in the right of way).
By compiling a list of hazardous trees, we have a much greater likelihood of receiving reimbursement by FEMA, since the trees are being catalogued, GPS coordinates collected, and risk assessments being made by competent professional arborists, rather than untrained contractors, which is often the case.
The current Rapid Assessment Team (as it is called) will be finishing up their work Wed. this week. A second team is scheduled to begin that day for one additional week. After that, no further teams are scheduled, since they will be moving on to Texas.
This work is a great help to us in dealing with the still considerable damage that exists in our treed neighborhoods. Let me assure all concerned that there is no plan to remove people's private trees if they do not give permission.
As I mentioned, the guys doing the assessment are all from out of town and, therefore, unfamiliar with BR streets & neighborhoods. There are not always clear indicators of where the right-of-way is actually located, so they are guided by utility placement, fences, and similar clues. In some cases they are not able to be totally accurate in determining placement.
We will be re-checking and monitoring their work prior to doing any pruning or removals.
Steve Shurtz
Urban Forestry & Landscape Manager
EBR Department of Public Works
Deanna Goux
Legislative Assistant to Councilman Skyring
P. O. Box 1471
Baton Rouge, LA 70821
Phone: 389-4697
Fax: 389-8895
Encourage health and well-being
Whether trail users are walking, riding, skating or rollerblading, they are on their way to a healthier lifestyle.
Promote public safety
Thousands of people use PATH trails from dawn to dusk every day. When more people are outside and keeping an eye on their neighborhoods, perpetrators are less likely to attempt to commit crimes.
Increase real estate values
Living next to a greenway trail is a distinctive amenity that boosts property values. Trails preserve open space and make nearby homes more attractive.
Spur economic development and neighborhood revitalization
PATH trails are an important catalyst for new residential and business development in the communities through which they traverse.
To volunteer for CAPP, contact BREC Communications Director Kristi Williams (kwilliams@brec.org).
The Recreation and Park Commission for the Parish of East Baton Rouge was created by a State Legislative Act in 1946 as a separate and distinct body whose purpose is to develop, maintain and operate public park and recreational properties and facilities for all the people in East Baton Rouge Parish. BREC is a political subdivision of the State of Louisiana and does not operate under the City-Parish Government.
If you have a news item of neighborhood interest, please send it to us or suggest a story at news@universityhills70808.net.