The TECHE Project annouces that the installation of a floating dock at T.J. Viator Memorial Park in Jeanerette is now complete.
The dock installation was implemented via a grant from the Federal Highway Administration’s Recreational Trails Program administered through the Louisiana Department of Culture, Recreation and Tourism.
Joining floating docks in Port Barre, Arnaudville, Breaux Bridge, St. Martinville, Loreauville, Charenton and Patterson, the Jeanerette dock is located at what is known as Jeanerette City Park. It provides access to Bayou Teche for paddlers of all ages and skill levels and aims to fulfill The TECHE Project's mission to develop low-impact recreation that promotes tourism in communities along Bayou Teche.
Bayou Teche is the only National Water Trail in Louisiana—and one of only 21 nationally recognized water trails in the nation. That designation, bestowed in 2015 by the U.S. Department of the Interior, places the Teche in an elite group of waterways and is expected to increase recreational tourism for the 15 communities and four parishes the 135-mile bayou touches.
As planned, the Bayou Teche Paddle trail will have a total of 15 official access points for paddle trips, as short as seven miles and as long as 130 miles. Information kiosks with maps and community stories are also part of the infrastructure at each site, funded in part by a $46,000 grant from the Atchafalaya Trace Commission. The Iberia Parish Convention and Visitors Bureau and the Gravois family graciously sponsored the Jeanerette Information Kiosk in support of their customers, citizens and visitors.
The paddle trail lies parallel with the state’s Bayou Teche Scenic Byway and is part of the Atchafalaya National Heritage Area. The TECHE Project nonprofit organization serves as the manager of the National Paddle Trail and is working with local communities, parish and state governments to develop a first-class paddle trail.
“The addition of Jeanerette really helps move us toward our objective of having a paddle trail dock in all of the Bayou Teche trail towns. We thank Jeanerette Mayor Carol Bourgeois Jr. and Iberia Parish President M. Larry Richard for all of their support and assistance in providing access for Jeanerette. We would also like to thank the Iberia Parish Convention and Visitors Bureau and the family of Jimmy Gravois for their financial sponsorship of the information kiosk," says Patti Holland, council member with The TECHE Project.
More information, including a full list of dock locations, can be found at techeproject.org.
The TECHE Ecology, Culture and History Education Project started in 2008 in St. Landry Parish. Our nonprofit, membership-based organization is made up of individuals passionate about making Bayou Teche a healthier waterway for fishing, kayaking, canoeing, boating, tubing and even swimming. We advocate for improved water quality in the Bayou Teche watershed and have removed 54 tons of garbage to date. The TECHE Project encourages everyone to ENRICH, EXPLORE and EMBRACE the Bayou Teche.
