Recreation and Parks
The City of Minden Recreation Dept. has been providing youth programs for the community since 1967. The majority of these programs have been of an athletic nature, because the facilities were not user friendly, Ewell Park and Fair Park Rec centers were constructed and opened in 1969. The construction of these facilities was the last new construction in the Rec Dept.
The City Administration, with the assistance of a committee, developed a one cent sales tax renewal proposal to be sent to the citizens for election. The tax renewal was approved by our citizens on April 15, 2000. The complex construction cost is funded from the sale of $4,000,000.00 in bonds and the balance of the project coming from City of Minden investments.
The recreation complex added thirteen full time jobs positions and up to twenty+ part-time positions. This includes the maintenance staff who take care of the grounds, ball fields, Forestry & Ewell Park buildings. The complex has provided avenues for the Rec, Dept. to solicit tournaments and events which directly influence the tourism industry. the greatest benefit the complex provides is that our citizens, from youth to senior adults, are able to take advantage of a state of the art recreational facility.
Minden is home to one of the best public recreation complexes in Louisiana. The $8 million Minden Recreation Complex features a 40,000 square foot gymnasium with basketball courts and seating for 1000, a weight room, meeting rooms, walking track, locker rooms with showers, and a heated exercise/aerobic lap pool. Outdoors is a large swimming pool, children’s water playground, four basketball courts (one covered), two enclosed racquetball courts, four tennis courts, 4 adult softball fields, 12 baseball/softball fields, and 2 tee ball fields, one soccer field, one football field, a 1 mile outdoor walking track, playground, 7 concession/restroom/announcer buildings.
The Rec Dept. is currently in the process of the redevelopment of Babbs Park, Ewell Park, and Victory Park which will include the addition of water spray grounds and new restroom buildings.
The recreation complex is located off of Industrial Drive (I-20 Service Road) and encompasses more than 150 acres.
Membership is $10 per year for anyone over 2 years old and open to everyone; however, a photo identification card must be obtained and presented to use the complex.
Coaching with Minden Youth Sports Programs
Every year we have anywhere from 1000-1200 children ranging from age 5-15 that participate in our Minden Youth Baseball, Softball, and Teeball programs. We also have Football, Basketball, and Soccer programs. We always have outstanding support from the community when it comes to coaches and sponsors for the teams. These coaches strictly do this on a volunteer basis out of love for the kids of our community. The sponsors help furnish uniforms for each of these teams. We appreciate each and every one of them for all that they do to make our sports programs a success each year.
If you are interested in being a volunteer coach or sponsor, please give us a call at 318-371-4235. We also have volunteer coach applications in the links below for your convenience.
Neighborhood Parks are also accessible and provide a variety of features:
Victory Park: Includes a public water playground, tennis courts, playground equipment, picnic tables and restroom facilities. Located on Park Highway.
Academy Park: Includes tennis court, gazebo and picnic tables. Located at the intersection of Lewisville Road and East & West.
High Street Park: Includes playground equipment, basketball court, picnic area. Located on High Street.
Ewell Park: Includes ball fields, a public water playground, playground equipment, playground, picnic area, restroom facilities and a recreation center for basketball, ping-pong and a pool table. Located at 801 Harris Street.
Babb Park: Includes a public water playground, playground equipment ball fields, picnic area, basketball and restroom facilities. Located on Horton Street.
Walnut Street Park: Includes playground equipment and basketball only. Located on Walnut Street.
Roosevelt Street Park: Includes playground equipment only. Located on Roosevelt Street.
Hinton Park: Nature Park which includes playground equipment. Located on Hinton Street.
Constable Street Park: Includes basketball courts and playground equipment only. Located on Constable Street.
Contact Minden Recreation Complex
Zita Williams, Director of Parks and Recreation
(318) 371-4235
For Rain out Information Call 371-4253