DENHAM SPRINGS, La. — Voters in Denham Springs will decide Oct. 11 whether to renew the Parks and Recreation District #3 (PARDS) millage, which supplies nearly 60 percent of the district’s operating budget.
Officials stress the measure is not a new tax but the continuation of a funding source that has supported local parks for the past 50 years. The current rate has been rolled back to 10.72 mills in an effort to keep costs down while still meeting community needs.
PARDS operates four facilities: North Park, South Park, L.M. Lockhart Park and The Pines Golf Course. District leaders say the renewal is critical for keeping those parks open and maintained. Without it, they warn, services and programs that thousands of residents depend on would be at risk.
Parks are more than green space, officials note. They help protect property values by making neighborhoods more attractive, provide safe activities for youth, and offer health and wellness opportunities for seniors. Ball games, splash pads and seasonal events also bring families together and strengthen community ties.
PARDS is also one of Livingston Parish’s largest employers, supporting both permanent and seasonal jobs. Renewal of the millage would help keep those jobs secure and programs affordable for local families.
Election Day is Saturday, Oct. 11, with polls open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Early voting runs from Sept. 27 through Oct. 4, excluding Sunday, from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily.
More information about the proposal is available at pardsds.com.
