Free day in the park

• By CYNTHIA V. CAMPBELL
• Travel editor
• Published: Apr 17, 2009

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Spend a day in a Louisiana state park or historic site tomorrow.

Go fishing or hiking or learn how the state’s settlers made their own soap. In celebration of 75 years of Louisiana state parks, Lt. Gov. Mitch Landrieu declared April 18 to be a free “Day in the Park.” Entrance fees to all parks and historic sites will be waived for the day.

Speaking at Rosedown Plantation, one of the state’s premiere tourist attractions, Landrieu said, “During these challenging economic times, people are thinking about being tourists a little closer to home.”

“I can’t think of a better place to be than one of our parks, ” he said

The state legislature created the State Parks Commission of Louisiana in 1934. Today, there are 20 recreational parks, 16 historic sites and a preservation area.

Stuart Johnson, assistant secretary for the Office of State Parks, said there will be plenty of great activities for people to enjoy. “Each park will do a program that specifically highlights that site,” he said.

Among activities planned tomorrow are:

• Port Hudson State Historic Site, U.S. 61 at Zachary, will present a cannon firing at 1 p.m. followed by a guided hike to Fort Desperate, one of the best preserved Confederate defense works in the country. Call (888) 677-3400.
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• Rosedown State Historic Site, La. 10 at St. Francisville, will host a spring program at 10 a.m. on antique roses. Also scheduled is a shaving horse demonstration, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. on the plantation grounds. Call (225) 653-3110.
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• Tickfaw State Park, 27225 Patterson Road at Springfield, will present a live animal presentation at 1:30 p.m. and a karaoke competition at 3 p.m. to try and become the next “Tickfaw Idol.” Be sure to walk the raised boardwalk to view birds in the wild.
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• Fontainebleau State Park, 67825 U.S. 190 at Mandeville, has a 2 p.m. program with a site ranger at the fishing pond near the beach. Visitors will use scoop nets to collect different types of aquatic wildlife. Call (888) 677-3668.
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• Bayou Segnette State Park, 7777 Westbank Expressway at Westwego, plans a hike at 8 a.m. to learn about wetlands habitat and wildlife. Another program from 1-3 p.m. will focus on attracting birds and butterflies to your yard. Call (888) 677-2296 for more information.
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• Fairview-Riverside State Park, La. 22 Madisonville, plans a special tour of Otis House featuring vintage quilts from its collection. Call (888) 677-3247.