DENHAM SPRINGS, La. — On June 10th, Livingston Parish Councilwoman Erin Sandefur hosted a ceremony at South Park to thank Senator Valerie Hodges for securing state funding toward the improvement of the park, ultimately establishing a safe space for several new sports to make their way into the community's attention and creating a platform for family-friendly events that encourage making connections and experiencing the outdoors together.
Councilwoman Sandefur originally reached out to Senator Hodges to request funding for improvements to South Park's security and sports, leading Senator Hodges pursue $200,000 from the state's capital outlay budget toward the park's improvements. These funds paved the way for the addition of two pickleball courts, a nature trail, a full security system, renovations to the park fences, a full disc golf course around the park, and four air conditioners for the PARDS L.M. Lockhart Park buildings.
"Physical activity means physical health, mental health, all of the things we're concerned about with our younger generation," Senator Hodges explained, stating that park betterment is "a priority" for her.
One of the newest up-and-coming sports to grace the park is disc golf, or Frisbee golf, which uses flying discs that players toss at a target or basket. The rules are similar to traditional golf, with courses typically including around 9 or 18 holes. Some courses also incorporate natural obstacles, such as trees, for a more challenging experience.
The Lagniappe Disc Golf Group was present at the ceremony to discuss how they have made a home for themselves at South Park.
"We came [to South Park] because it's so much more accessible," Lagniappe Disc Golf owner Jeff Foltz said. "These guys have been so great to allow us on this space and to do pretty much whatever we want, and I think it's paid off because we have generated at least 100 brand new players."
Foltz explained that his group holds monthly clinics where members lead workshops to help first-time players learn how to play. These clinics typically serve pizza for lunch, and each participant receives a free disc afterward so they can practice at home and at the park. Foltz's group also hosts occasional Glow Golf events, where they play at night with glow-in-the-dark discs, which Foltz admitted is a real crowd favorite. The next clinic will be held on July 18th at South Park.
Next Saturday, June 20th, the Lagniappe Disc Golf Group will hold its MVP Circuit Challenge Tournament at South Park. The tournament is beginner-friendly and open to anyone interested, with an entry fee of $54.
On September 20th, 2025, the Lagniappe Disc Golf Group hosted a charity tournament at South Park. For every individual round played, 10 cents went toward the Paul McBeth Foundation, which builds disc golf courses in underserved areas around the world and provides equipment and educational materials to foster community growth and personal development.
The tournament drew 126 players for two rounds through the courses during the day, with an additional round of Glow Golf that night. The Lagniappe Disc Golf Group placed 1st in the country and 3rd globally from that tournament, ranking South Park as the number three course to play in the world.
"You need these alternative sports," Foltz added, recalling the way the tournament put South Park on the map, so to speak. "You can't just have baseball and then nothing."
Senator Hodges and Councilwoman Sandefur got a crash course in disc golf during the ceremony, noting what a perfect opportunity it creates for community engagement.
"It's real exciting to see people actually out here doing something," Senator Hodges said. "I want to get people out of the house, out in this beautiful weather that we have and getting physical exercise, being together in the community, because that's what Livingston Parish is really all about."
"For a rural, suburban district, this is a big deal to our area, to our community," Councilwoman Sandefur noted. "This is what we have down here, so this means a lot."
