Parks, Louisiana Explained

Parks, Louisiana
Official Name:Village of Parks
Native Name:La Pointe de Repose
Native Name Lang:fr
Settlement Type:Village
Image Alt:Village Of Parks
Nickname:Potier
Pushpin Map:USA Louisiana
Pushpin Label Position:none
Pushpin Map Caption:Location of Parks in Louisiana
Coordinates:30.2°N -140°W
Subdivision Type:Country
Subdivision Name: United States
Subdivision Type1:State
Subdivision Type2:Parish
Subdivision Name2:St.Martin
Established Title:Founded
Established Date:1765
Established Title1:Renamed
Established Date1:1908
Founder:Paul Melancon
Leader Title:Mayor
Leader Name:Kevin J. Kately (D)
Leader Title1:Chief Of Police
Leader Name1:Reginald ‘Reggie’ Clues
Population Total:640
Population As Of:2020
Population Density Km2:292.43
Population Density Sq Mi:757.40
Timezone1:CST
Utc Offset1:-6
Timezone1 Dst:CDT
Utc Offset1 Dst:-5
Postal Code:70582
Area Code:337
Leader Title2:Alderman
Leader Name2:Myra Yvonne Narcisse
Leader Name3:Kanisha Potier
Leader Name4:Harold Robertson
Leader Title3:Alderman
Leader Title4:Alderman
Elevation Ft:26
Unit Pref:Imperial
Blank Name:FIPS code
Blank Info:22-59165
Area Footnotes:[1]
Area Total Km2:2.30
Area Total Sq Mi:0.89
Area Land Km2:2.19
Area Water Km2:0.11
Area Land Sq Mi:0.84
Area Water Sq Mi:0.04

Parks is a village in St. Martin Parish, Louisiana, United States. The population was 653 at the 2010 census, and 696 at the 2020 population estimates program.[2] It is part of the Lafayette metropolitan statistical area.

History

The exact origin of the name "Parks" is somewhat of a mystery. Although some residents seem to think that it had something to do with the railroad, one story states the first train to pass through the community arrived on Easter Sunday. When the train engineer, who apparently did not speak or understand French, inquired about the name of the settlement, the residents replied "C'est Pacques" (it's Easter). The train engineer thought he understood the word Parks, and the name apparently stuck.

Parks, originally called Potier, lies in the area previously known as La Pointe District, which existed in 1765. It was also called La Pointe de Repose, supposedly because the cowhands in the early 19th century drove their cattle into the cul-de-sac formed by the sharp bend of the bayou on round up time.

Settlement began in the Parks village shortly after 1900. Around that time, Paul Melancon purchased a large tract of land in the vicinity of what is now Parks in order to establish a cotton farm. But, shortly after buying the property, he decided to divide a portion into town lots and the community took shape.[3] In 1908, the village of 330 acres was incorporated. Since that time, Parks has remained approximately the same size.[4]

Geography

Parks is located at (30.215675, -91.829472), in the region of Acadiana in southern Louisiana.[5] Highways 31 and 347, which both parallel the Bayou Teche, pass through the village with the cities of Breaux Bridge being located northwest and St. Martinville, the parish seat, located to the south. According to the United States Census Bureau, the village has a total area of 0.8sqmi, all land.

Demographics

At the 2020 population estimates program, 696 people lived in the village. The 2019 American Community Survey estimated 57.0% of its population were non-Hispanic white, 42.1% Black and African American, and 0.9% multiracial. The median household income was $45,568 and 10.2% of the population lived at or below the poverty line.[6]

At the 2000 United States census,[7] there were 533 people, 207 households, and 150 families residing in the village. The population density was 677.6sp=usNaNsp=us. There were 240 housing units at an average density of 305.1sp=usNaNsp=us. The racial makeup of the village was 51.97% White, 47.47% African American, 0.38% Native American, and 0.19% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latin Americans of any race were 1.13% of the population.

There were 207 households, out of which 27.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.2% were married couples living together, 15.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.5% were non-families. 26.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.57 and the average family size was 3.09.

In the village, the population was spread out, with 22.0% under the age of 18, 9.6% from 18 to 24, 26.3% from 25 to 44, 28.3% from 45 to 64, and 13.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females, there were 84.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 84.1 males.

The median income for a household in the village was $33,958, and the median income for a family was $36,042. Males had a median

income of $30,909 versus $22,500 for females. The per capita income for the village was $16,191. About 13.1% of families and 15.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 17.6% of those under age 18 and 18.9% of those age 65 or over.

Education

Public schools in St. Martin Parish are operated by the St. Martin Parish School Board. The village of Parks is zoned to Parks Primary School (Grades PK-4), Parks Middle School (Grades 5-8), and Breaux Bridge High School or St. Martinville High School (Grades 9-12).

Notable people

Notes and References

  1. Web site: 2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files. United States Census Bureau. March 20, 2022.
  2. Web site: City and Town Population Totals: 2010-2020. August 2, 2021. United States Census Bureau. EN-US.
  3. Web site: May 6, 2016. The history behind the village of Parks. August 2, 2021. KLFY. en-US.
  4. Web site: www.stmartinparish-la.org "History of Parks" . September 25, 2007 . https://web.archive.org/web/20041104044008/http://stmartinparish-la.org/parks_page3.htm . November 4, 2004 . dead .
  5. Web site: US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990. United States Census Bureau. April 23, 2011. February 12, 2011.
  6. Web site: Geography Profile: Parks village, Louisiana. August 2, 2021. data.census.gov.
  7. Web site: U.S. Census website . . January 31, 2008 .