In late 1970, discussions were started on the creation of a new Monroe city park. 420 acres were chosen east of Monroe near the Selman Field Airport. Plans were made for an 18 hole golf course, picnic facilities, horseback riding, bike riding and hiking trails, tennis courts, playground equipment, a shallow lake for fishing and park headquarters building where you could rent equipment and buy concessions. One year later, the deal was signed. In late April of 1972, Mayor Jack Howard announced the U.S. Bureau of Outdoor Recreation had given a grant for the sum of $512,905 to start construction.
A contest to name the new park was announced in the Monroe Morning World of October 6, 1973. Local students in Monroe schools were asked to submit a name for the new park. Entries had to be original, historically significant and you had to explain your reasoning in twenty five words or less. The winner of the contest would receive a $50 Savings Bond. Suggestions poured in. Among them were, Hudson Lane Park, Selman Field Park, Monroe’s Sports Paradise Recreation Field, James A. Noe City Park, Don Juan Filhiol Park and Recreation Area, Northeast Pleasure Park, Squanto Park, South Park (HAH!), Doolittle Recreation Center and Little Town Square. The winning name was submitted by 9 year old Tony Duirlando and 16 year old Dixie Harrison, “Chennault Park”.
On February 12, 1974, the Monroe City Council formally named the park “Claire Chennault Park”. The project cost $1.3 Million. $600,000 of the cost was federally funded. Go check out this quiet, peaceful place! I’ll bet you won’t regret it!
Ouachita Parish History Tidbits 
Leave a comment