St. Charles Parish · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in St. Charles Parish public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
Summer food and youth center programs
Three summer camps are at full capacity in St. Rose, Killona, and Boutte, and the summer food program is serving about 300 hot meals a day across two sites with bus pickup in neighborhoods. The parish contracts with the school system for buses (about $15,000 for the summer), United Way chipped in $9,000 for facility costs, and the state reimburses per meal.
West Bank bike path stalled by Corps of Engineers
Councilwoman Wilson asked about the long-delayed West Bank bike path; President Jewell said the Army Corps dropped the project in 2017 and won't pick it back up, citing no funding to review it.
Rathborne donated park land returned
The parish gave back donated land it can't use because the federal levee footprint now covers it, killing the planned parking expansion.
Library and 911 board appointments
Nominations were made for two Library Board seats — Erica Spengler (District VI) and Lindsey Tullier (District II) — while the Firemen's Association 911 board seat was delayed to September.
Ama Park renovations and park master plan strategy
A $1.2 million renovation adds fencing, a restroom, playground, batting cage and covered basketball at Ama Park, part of a plan to shift from underused pocket parks to community parks.
Dog park funding versus drainage priorities
Parks & Rec reported 2025 projects (Bethune Park, East Bank Bridge Park, boat launches), a new Little League charter, and big fee cuts — flag football and basketball dropped from $65 to $35-45 with Saints/Pelicans partnerships, saving families tens of thousands.
No public swimming facilities in the parish
Board members said it's embarrassing that a parish as well-off as St. Charles has no public pool, while kids drown almost every year swimming in lakes and bayous. They agreed to invite Parks and Recreation to the August 12 meeting to answer for it.
2026 Summer Reading Program and Seed Library
The library's summer reading program kicks off June 1 with more than 240 free programs and a 2.75 million-minute community goal; 350 patrons had already signed up. A new free seed borrowing library opens at the West Regional Library in partnership with the LSU Ag Center.
Sand volleyball courts at Dufresne Community Center
A $660,000 contract for four lit, fenced sand volleyball courts behind the community center passed unanimously — the latest amenity in a multi-year buildout there.
Killona Community Center improvements
Entergy funded a $5,000 ice machine for the Killona center, and a propane tank will allow a commercial gas stove for the Lunch and Learn program that now serves 150 meals per event.