NATCHITOCHES, LA – The Red River Waterway Commission (RRWC) is pleased to announce they are
nearing completion of a Master Plan for a new 547-acre recreation area in North Caddo Parish near
Blanchard, LA.

This project completes the required 14,000-acres of mitigation to offset wildlife habitat losses from the
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) J. Bennett Johnston Waterway (Red River) Navigation Project
constructed in the 1990s.

In 2022, the USACE and RRWC began their collaboration to acquire 438-acres of forested and rolling hill
land along the East side of LA 1 just North of the Town of Blanchard. While ultimately the USACE will own
the 438-acres, the RRWC will be responsible for the perpetual operation and maintenance of the property.

The RRWC leased an additional 109-acres of adjoining property from the Caddo Parish Levee District
making the total recreation area 547-acres.

The property has over 100’ of relief and there is an existing 36-acre pond situated in its Northern half. To
the immediate East of the property is the State of Louisiana’s Soda Lake Wildlife Management Area (2,500-acres) and Twelve-Mile Bayou which meanders nearly 20-miles and enters the Red River on the Northern edge of downtown Shreveport. The Caddo Levee system is also near to the East and at its closest point is about 0.5-miles away from the property.

“Our involvement in this project is unique because it extends beyond the immediate vicinity of the Red
River,” said Colin Brown, the Executive Director of the RRWC. “Since this is mitigation property, we have
a responsibility to operate and maintain it, allowing us to collaborate with the USACE in this development.
We appreciate the USACE and their commitment to this combined mitigation/recreation development
and to the overall Navigation Project.”

The RRWC sought to develop a Master Plan to determine the property’s highest and best use with respect to various outdoor-type recreational activities and features while preserving a “partnership with nature” theme with any proposed improvements. To accomplish this, the RRWC has engaged KSA Engineers, Inc. (KSA) based in Shreveport, LA to lead the Master Plan’s development and assemble a team of specialized subconsultants to assist them in this endeavor. KSA is proud to have Rogue Trails, LLC of Rogers, AR on their team. Renowned for their expertise, Rogue Trails stands at the forefront of the design and construction of sustainable, bike-optimized and shared-use trails all over the United States.

The Master Plan will provide a comprehensive framework for guiding the development of the Proposed
Fish Lake Recreation Area as it relates to recreational activities, features, and land-use and the supporting
infrastructure improvements.

Some of the features being considered include integrated multi-use, cross-country trail systems for biking
and hiking; hub-based downhill bike trails; an all-weather bike launch pad, pump track and kid skills area;
kayaking, paddleboarding and other water-based sports on the lake; stage and amphitheater area; food
truck loop; pavilions and picnic areas; scenic overlooks; and parking areas.

“The mission of the RRWC is to promote economic and recreational development within the seven-parish
area that makes up our District,” said Commissioner Versa Clark (Caddo Parish) of the RRWC. “This will
be the 20th recreation area for the RRWC. The upcoming project aims to address several needs in North
Louisiana, offering new and extraordinary recreational and economic opportunities for many across our
community. We could not be more excited about it.”

The new recreation area is expected to draw in users and enthusiasts not only locally, but also from
throughout Louisiana and several neighboring states.

The Master Plan is expected to be finalized by this Summer, and it is projected that construction could
start this Fall with some early use by the end of the year.

“We stand ready to support the RRWC and the USACE in this project,” said Blanchard Mayor Jim
Galambos, “and eagerly anticipate the positive effects it will bring to the local community and economy.”
Annually, RRWC parks see visitation of 2-million people.

For questions contact: Mr. Luke Pearson, Real Estate Manager
Red River Waterway Commission
lukepearson@redriverwaterway.com
318-352-7446

ABOUT THE RED RIVER WATERWAY COMMISSION
The Red River Waterway Commission (RRWC) is a political subdivision of the State of Louisiana created in
1965, and is the local sponsor for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) J. Bennett Johnston Waterway
(Red River) Navigation Project.

The RRWC boundaries include seven (7) Northwest and Central Louisiana parishes: Caddo, Bossier, Red
River, Natchitoches, Grant, Rapides and Avoyelles.