Quite impressive, the sign showcasing the newest addition to downtown New Iberia.

In fact, it looks just like the artist’s rendering we published in June 2016, the sketch submitted by architect Paul J. Allain of the marquee for Church Alley.

It’s catchy and different, which goes hand in hand with the renovations recently completed “pocket park.” The project took some time to complete, mainly because of inclement weather during a key period, but it was there for all to admire at a ribbon-cutting ceremony Wednesday.

Local officials and residents got a first-hand look at the park that includes bike racks, benches, landscaping, painted concrete and the start and finish of a 3.2-mile bicycle trail that goes to City Park, wraps around Lewis Street and ends at Church Alley.

New Iberia Mayor Freddie DeCourt especially was proud of the moment. It was around 2000 when he had the idea for a pocket park in the historic alley created by Freddie Duperier, who put it there many decades ago so he could see St. Peter’s Catholic Church from his residence.

“I did drawings as a private citizen, tried to get it going, tried to get a grant and it wasn’t successful but I never gave up on the concept,” DeCourt told the crowd attending the ribbon-cutting.

A $100,000 grant from the FHWA Recreational Trails Program for Louisiana finally set the wheels in motion. 

Michael Domingue, grants administrator, said such a pocket park was important to the city.

“Anywhere you go people want to live in communities where they can walk and ride bicycles,” Domingue said.

New Iberia City Councilwoman Sherry Guidry, who represents District 5, said, “I think that we need more family-oriented spaces within the city limits. It’s important that our families have places to go.”

It took a little more than two years from its inception to complete. Then heavy rainfall and Hurricane Harvey had a lot to do with the delay in work done by Mourain Construction, the lowest bidder.

Also, a gas line in the locale had to be moved to prevent any long-term issues.

But the pocket park’s up and running and it’s beautiful. Cyclists, shoppers and passersby can enjoy it.

DON SHOOPMAN

SENIOR NEWS EDITOR