<p>While the finished product remains at least a couple of years away, the City of Abbeville is taking steps to develop Lafitte Drive-in Park.<br />
The Abbeville City Council approved a plan in June to turn about 15 acres that used to be the site of the drive-in into a city park. The city purchased the land last year from the deGrauww family, which owned the drive-in. The land will be combined with adjacent property the city already owned to create a large recreational area.<br />
During Tuesday evening’s regular meeting, the Abbeville City Council voted to move at least some of the fencing that is currently around the pond at the area. Moving the fence will allow work, including plowing, to be done.<br />
Councilman Francis Plaisance, who put forth the idea for the park, met with City Engineer Gene Sellers at the park last week.<br />
“He had an idea about moving some of the fencing,” Plaisance said. “He had many good suggestions about how to lay out the new park and what area should be plowed. In order to do that, we have to move some of the fencing that is currently located in the pond area.”<br />
The city approved up to $23,000 for the work to relocate the fencing. The top end of that quote is to move all of the fencing.<br />
“It’s not going to be necessary to move all of it,” Plaisance said.<br />
Plaisance has been part of the committee formed to examine various aspects of the park’s development, including grants and other avenues of funding, including possible private donations. Councilman Francis Touchet Jr. had worked on that committee as well. He stepped down on Tuesday to allow Councilman Wayne Landry to take his place. Landry’s District D includes the area.<br />
“That is his district,” Touchet said, “so it seems natural for him to be on this committee.<br />
“I will do whatever I can as this thing moves forward.”<br />
Once completed, the park is expected to provide citizens with a fishing area in the pond, among other aspects.<br />
Abbeville Mayor Mark Piazza said this park is a good thing for the city.<br />
“This is a very big venture that we are undertaking,” Piazza said. “It’s a great idea with a lot of potential. This has vast opportunities for young kids to do lots of things out there. It’s going to take money, but it’s also going to take the council’s hard work and effort to make this a reality.<br />
“This is not something that is going to happen over night.”</p>