Parks and Recreation

318-255-5800
RPAR@ruston.org

Parks and Facilities

Cook Park Consisting of approximately 28 acres of wooded and open terrain at 2800 Kavanaugh (north Cooktown Rd.), Cook Park is considered our most popular park. It has a 1000 meter walking trail, two playgrounds, an exercise course, a small gazebo, paved parking, and a large open-air picnic pavilion with restrooms. The pavilion is available for reservations, if needed.
Duncan Park Located at 1311 Arlington Street (corner of Arlington and Vaughn), Duncan Park consists of approximately 12 acres of open play areas interspersed among mature pecan trees. A playground, lighted baseball field, and fenced basketball courts are enhanced by ample parking and a picnic pavilion that can be reserved for private use.
Greenwood Park One of the newer additions to the park system is Greenwood Park, located at 1306 Cornell Street, and consisting 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. The park has goalposts for football, a playground, picnic tables, and paved parking.
J. C. Love Athletic Complex Located at the southern end of the City between Farmerville Street and South Vienna Street, at 400 Ball Park Road, this regional complex consists of six softball fields, concession stand, restrooms, two playgrounds, and ample parking. From Spring through Fall evenings are filled with the sounds of local softball teams slugging it out to be the league champion. Adjoining complexes are home to the Ruston Dixie Baseball League, Ruston Girls Softball Association, and Ruston High School Baseball. Similarly, all complexes host tournaments throughout the year.
Memorial Park Memorial Park is located at 400 East Georgia, and 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 swimming lessons. A large playground and small picnic pavilion complement the park. Numerous birthday parties and similar events occur here. The pavilion is available for reservation.
Regional Soccer Complex A relatively new complex located at the Old Ruston Airport at 1501 South Farmerville Street, games were first played in late 2004. The site comprises eight soccer/football field areas, two of which are lighted. Ample paved parking is available on the old airport runways. The Ruston Parks and Recreation Dept. offers soccer, flag football, tackle football, and assorted seasonal camps at the fields
Roberts Park Recently referred to as “Ruston’s Lost Jewel,” Roberts Park is a small, quiet, wooded, hilly park located at 1000 East Mississippi. Consisting of a small picnic pavilion, assorted picnic tables, and paved parking, Roberts Park regularly hosts small groups and individuals wanting to escape the hustle and bustle of modern times. The pavilion is available for reservation.
Sidney Smith Park Located at 600 Lee Ave., and nestled among the houses just north of the Ruston High School James Stadium, Sidney Smith Park consists of two fenced basketball courts with a small parking lot. Although used very little by local patrons, students from Louisiana Tech and Grambling State Universities can frequently be found shooting hoops in the evening.
Woodland Park Woodland Park is the largest park in the City, comprising approximately 66 acres at 1701 Martin Luther King Drive. It is also the prettiest, consisting of a spring-fed lake nestled in rolling and wooded terrain. Park amenities include a lighted baseball/softball field, two baseball/softball practice fields, four fenced basketball courts, two playgrounds, assorted picnic tables, paved parking, and a picnic pavilion available for reservation.
James Street Complex Located at 605 James Street, this complex houses the Parks and Recreation Department Offices, the McLane Recreation Center, the Bobby James Memorial Gym, and the Municipal Tennis Courts. All facilities host various recreation and athletic programs sponsored and facilitated by the Ruston Parks and Recreation Dept. All facilities are also available for reservation.
Huckleberry Trails Park Our newest park located on Magnolia Drive, behind Cypress Springs Elementary School. Its 23 wooded acres include a playground, picnic pavilion with grill, benches, walking/nature trails, and a covered learning center under development.