The City of Lake Charles is jumping right into the first quarter of 2025 with a full slate of Partners in Parks events. Unless otherwise noted, all events are family-friendly, free and open to the public.
The schedule begins on Saturday, January 4, with a Team Green’s Second Annual Christmas Tree Recycling from 9 am – 2 pm at the Alma Lane Recycling Center. Later that day, skate into a Winter Wonderland with a special outdoor skate night on the Gill Street Extension, located on the grounds of the Lake Charles Event Center, from 5 -7 pm.
On Saturday, January 11, join a host of local first responders as the City teams up with McNeese State University for a Hometown Heroes Night. Check out fleet vehicles and equipment from Lake Charles Police and Fire Departments and the Calcasieu Parish Office of Homeland Security from 2-4 pm while cheering on the men and women’s basketball teams in their doubleheader inside the Legacy Center (700 E. McNeese St.).
On Saturday, January 18, learn Financial Literacy through interactive activities with SWLA Credit Union from 9 -11 am at McMillan Park (343 Goos St.).
January events will wrap up on Saturday, January 25, with the launch of Sasol’s Nature in Focus 2025 programming.  Scales and Tails – All Things Reptile is sure to be a hands-on hit from 9-11 am at Riverside Park (1701 Fitzenreiter Rd.).
February will open with the return of our scavenger hunt series, featuring a special Where in Downtown Lake Charles is Carmen Sandiego hunt on Saturday, February 1.
Bayou Bash Gator Meet-N-Greet is scheduled for Saturday, February 8 and on Saturday, February 15 we are getting crafty with a Mardi Gras Craft Workshop. February will close out with another Sasol Nature in Focus Event on Saturday, February 22. This time we will be Gardening in Spring.
March will close out the first quarter with a little Mardi Gras mambo as the Children’s Mardi Gras Second Line Stroll makes its way around the Lakefront Promenade on Saturday, March 1.
On Saturday, March 8, the Calcasieu Parish Public Library’s Book it to the Park will make its 2025 debut from 9-11 am and the Southland Conference’s Kid’s Dribble will also return for year two beginning at 10 am.
March will close out with a little star gazing as we venture into the Region 5 STEM Center for a Star Lab Experience on Saturday, March 22, from 9-11 am and 2025’s first Music in the Park Series in partnership with the McNeese State University Banners Series on Tuesday, March 25.
“It is with great joy and excitement that we look forward to a new and exciting year of Partners in Parks programming,” said Mayor Nic Hunter. “This past year has been a banner year for our park programming with residents visiting our City parks in record numbers. Every day, through this initiative, we are expanding opportunities for citizens of all ages to enjoy our public spaces.”
In July of 2018, Mayor Hunter’s administration launched the citywide Partners in Parks initiative aimed at combining private and public dollars to improve park infrastructure and expand programming. To date, Partners in Parks has meant over a $1.7M for City parks without any additional taxation on local citizens.
Individuals interested in investing in City parks may do so online by visiting www.foundationswla.org.
All events are subject to change. Follow www.cityoflakecharles.com and www.facebook.com/LakeCharles/Louisiana for the latest schedule updates.