Parks and Recreation

R. L. Cook Park
2800 Kavanaugh Road (north Cooktown Road)
Consisting of approximately 28 acres of wooded and open terrain, R. L. Cook is a popular location for walkers.  The facility has many amenities for the entire family.

• Paved parking
• All-weather walking trail - Inner loop = 1/4 mile (4 loops = 1 mile) / Outer loop = 4/10 mile (2 1/2 loops = 1 mile)
• Pavilion with restrooms (available for reservations)
• Gazebo
• Single-table shelter
• Two (2) playgrounds
• Exercise course with equipment
   

Duncan Park
1311 Arlington Street (corner of Arlington and West Vaughn Ave)
Duncan Park consists of approximately 12 acres of open play areas as well as athletic facilities.  All of it is intersperced among pecan, oak and bald cypress trees.  The facility includes a variety of amenities for all ages.

• Two (2) pavilions (available for reservations)
• Five (5) single-table shelters
• Two (2) playgrounds
• Two (2) basketball courts
• One (1) lighted baseball / softball field
• Portable restroom 
• Paved parking
   

Greenwood Park
1306 Cornell Avenue
Greenwood Park consists of approximately 10 acres of mostly open play area with various clusters of trees. This was the previous site of the Greenwood School, although all that now remains is the gymnasium, known locally as “the Blue Building,” and used as a modified recreation center. 

• Paved parking
• All-weather walking trail - 1/3 mile (3 loops = 1mile)
• Greenwood Recreation Center with restrooms
• One (1) indoor basketball court
• One (1) youth baseball field
• One (1) youth football field
•  Playground
   

J. C. Love Athletic Complex
400 Ball Park Road (between South Farmerville and South Vienna Street)
The crack of the bat can be heard throughout the evenings during the summer and fall as local and area teams compete at this regional sports complex.  Adjoining complexes are home to the Ruston Dixie Baseball League, Ruston Girls Softball Association, and Ruston High School Baseball. 

• Paved parking
• Three (3) lighted softball fields
• Three (3) lighted youth baseball / softball fields
• Concession facility with restrooms
• Two (2) playgrounds
• One (1) lighted pavilion (available for reservations) 
   

Memorial Park 
400 East Georgia Avenue
Memorial Park is best known as the site of the Municipal Swimming Pool.  During the summer, parents sit under the trees along the slopes above the pool to watch their children take part in swimming lessons and other activities at the facility.  It is also located adjacent to the Louisiana Military Museum.

• One (1) pavilion (available for reservations)
• Playground
• Municipal Swimming Pool (available for party rental)

Regional Sports Complex
1501 South Farmerville Street (the former Ruston Airport)
Soccer and flag football started in late 2004 and both leagues have continued to grow each year.  The Ruston Parks and Recreation Department offers soccer and flag football for youths and adults.

• Paved parking
• Two (2) lighted football fields
• Six (6) youth soccer fields
• Portable restrooms

Roberts Park
1000 East Mississippi Avenue
Described as “Ruston’s Lost Jewel,” Roberts Park is a quaint, wooded park.  The facility regularly hosts small groups and individuals wanting to escape the hustle and bustle of modern times.

• Paved parking
• One (1) pavilion (available for reservations)
• Assorted outdoor picnic areas 
   

Sidney Smith Park 
600 Lee Avenue
Nestled among the houses just north of the Ruston High School James Stadium, Sidney Smith Park provides just two facilities that attracts students from Louisiana Tech and Grambling State University.  

• Paved parking
• Two (2) basketball courts 
   

Woodland Park
1701 Martin Luther King Drive
The largest city park, Woodland Park encompasses 66 acres with a spring-fed lake tucked among a rolling and wooded terrain.  The facility includes both athletic and natural facilities, truly offering a variety of amenities for all ages.

• One (1) pavilion (available for reservations)
• Five (5) single-table shelters
• Two (2) playgrounds 
• Two (2) basketball courts
• One (1) lighted baseball / softball field
• Lake area
• Portable restrooms 

James Street Complex
605 James Street
The Parks and Recreation Department main office is centrally located in the complex, which is anchored by a recreation center, a gymnasium and tennis courts.  This is the place for "one-stop shopping" when wishing to reserve any facility or sign up for a variety of programs throughout the year.

• Paved parking
• Ruston Parks and Recreation Main Office
• McLane Recreation Center with restrooms (available for reservations)
• Bobby James Memorial Gym with restrooms (available for reservations)
• Five (5) lighted tennis courts

Huckleberry Trails Park
Magnolia Drive
Our newest park, located adjacent to Cypress Springs Elementary School is 23 wooded acres with special areas being created for those who love nature.  A special feature is a one-of-a-kind learning center.  Future development will include educational information along trails identifying trees and plant life.

• Paved parking
• One (1) pavilion (availabe for reservations)
• Playground
• Nature trails
• Connecting deck between playground and pavilion