Green, vast and simply waiting for visitors, but when will Moncus Park and its 100-acres open to the public?
Even before the coronavirus pandemic, a spring opening had already been pushed to the end of the year.
“So, we actually postponed our grand opening serendipitously,” says Moncus Park Executive Director Elizabeth Brooks. “We had planned to open in April, then several gifts came through and we wanted to build out Phase I. "
Those several gifts and build-outs, says Elizabeth Brooks, will add some extra-special touches.
“We're coming with this phase is the amphitheater, the playground and the treehouse,” Brooks said. "So when we do open with these features, it will be really amazing."
Another consideration, adds Brooks, was the greenery that now rests across the park. Much of the grass at Moncus Park has yet to fully take root. “And the heat and the rain is going to make sure this grass is so thick and happy by the time we open in the fall."
Meanwhile, Covid-19 has made fundraising for future phases a little slow at the moment but Brooks fully understands why donors might be looking at other causes.
“A lot of people who are hurting right now, a lot of businesses who are struggling and people are choosing to put their philanthropy to those kinds of things which is absolutely understandable."
Moncus Park is coming, hopefully in a much calmer fall where social distancing should be pretty easy.
“With 100 acres I think we can accommodate members of the community that want to come out and enjoy the fresh air,” Brooks said.
The delay is all about doing it right, about making that positive, long-lasting first impression.
"That's absolutely right, and I do love that you said that,” says Brooks. “We do only have one chance to make a first impression, so we want to make sure that Lafayette's so impressed when they come here "
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