The Parish of Caddo Parks and Recreation Department and the Shreveport Regional Arts Council announce the launch of Spring, Summer and Fall Programming in Caddo Common Park…Shreveport’s first programmable greenspace located in the heart of Shreveport Common on the western edge of downtown. Caddo Common Park programing is sponsored by Ochsner LSU Health Shreveport and combines a healthy dose of exercise, wellness education and fitness opportunities with dynamic, diverse Arts Programming. All programs and activities are free of charge and are designed for multi-generational audiences.
Caddo Common Park programming launches on Sunday, April 25th from 2:00 pm – 6:00 pm with “SUNDAY IN THE PARK.” Featured artists include Chessi May leading YOGA, Hands-On Art Activity with Jerry Davenport, Plein Air Painting with Bonnie Kirkley demonstrating watercolor techniques, and performances by HARK!, Songbook of the South, “Little Mermaid” by StageCenter Theatre Company, and an AMP concert produced by Chris Chandler of the American Millennium Project featuring The Joanitones. A special edition to “SUNDAYS IN THE PARK” is the addition of the area Arts Organization and Shreveport Common Social Service Organizations who are participating in Give for Good, the online giving program through the Community Foundation of North Louisiana. Visitors may meet the staff and learn about the programming of these organizations who are registered for Give for Good. There will also be Food Trucks and a small Arts Market.
Beginning in May, there are weekly and monthly programs to get you off the couch and into the park and shaped up for adventure. The monthly lineup includes:
Starting on Wednesday, May 5th, every 1st Wednesday of the month is “WELLNESS WEDNESDAY” from 11 am – 1:30 pm with Fitness Instruction and warm ups to help you walk a mile through and around Caddo Common Park and a Wellness Education program presented by Ochsner LSU Health Shreveport along with Cattina Williams, Recreation Coordinator and Mary Murphy, Athletics and Fitness Coordinator for Caddo Parish Parks & Recreation.
Starting on Thursday, May 6th and every 1st Thursday of the month, Caddo Parish Parks & Recreation presents “FIT AND STRONG THURSDAYS” from 10:00 am – 11:30 am, with creative “core” building and strengthening games and exercises designed with older adult fitness in mind, but open to all.
Thursday, May 20th, and every 3rd Thursday of the month, features the “ACTIVE LIVING EVERY DAY” program from 10:30 am – 12:00 noon, with programming designed to get everyone moving in a fun and creative dance with Roshanda Spears. Try the Caddo Common Conga, Downtown Line Dance and Texas Avenue Two-Step around the Park! Leave the Park with a “Healthy Heart” recipe created by the Ochsner LSU Health Shreveport Team.
Every third weekend of the month is an UNCOMMON Caddo Common Weekend with Saturday “WILD WONDERS” programming and “SUNDAYS IN THE PARK with Artists.”
“WILD WONDER SATURDAYS” start at 8 am with a different “genre” of Exercise each hour at 8 am, 9:00 am and 10:00 am. Exercises include Aerobics, Pilates, Zumba, Yoga, and even basic Calisthenics…can you do 25 Jumping Jacks? Then from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm, the team from the Walter B. Jacobs Nature Park brings out the Animal Ambassadors and FLORA AND FAUNA…did you know that FAUNA means the animals, bugs, birds, and critters? Each month is themed with an introduction to the Wild Thing that lives or grows at the Nature Center, Story time and a hands-on Make and Take Activity to remember your introduction to the Wild Wonder! Stacy Gray, Education Coordinator for the Walter B. Jacobs Nature Center has selected monthly themes, which include: May – Birds of a Feather (meet a Raptor and other Birds of Prey); June – Perfect Pollinators; July – For Goodness Snakes; August – Patterns of Nature…see the Golden Mean and the Fibonacci Patterns; September – Multicultural Wild Wonders; October – Creepy Crawlies (Vultures, Snakes and Spiders); and, November – Fall in Love with Nature.
“Sundays in the Park with Artists” are scheduled from 2:00 pm- 5:30 pm and begin with a YOGA program and Hands-On Activities at 2:00 pm, Plein Air Painting and Drawing with a Professional Artists and Solo Performances featuring Spoken Word, Storytelling, Soloists, and Dancers at 3:00 pm, and a Concert at 4:00 pm.
There are also special programs in planned in the Park that will appeal to all!
Saturday, September 11th features the FESTIVAL OF CULTURES with the Multicultural Center for the featuring the Exhibitions, Food, Entertainment, Costumes and Stories of the 16 Cultural groups in Northwest Louisiana. An evening of “HOOTS and HOPS” is scheduled for Friday, October 8th – meet the Owls of the Walter B. Jacobs Nature Park while tasting area Craft Beers.
The Caddo Parish Parks & Recreation Department even has “Date Night” programming for older Adults. Thursday, May 6th debuts the 2021 “Date Night” with “Getting to Know You” Games and Activities. You don’t have to be single to attend, bring a spouse or partner and see how well you know one another. Team up with a new mate, date, or friend and enjoy dinner at Parish Taceaux or a movie at the Robinson Film Center.
“Caddo Parish Parks and Recreation is proud to work side by side the Shreveport Regional Arts Council to take health, fitness, wellness and recreation to a whole new level in a whole new park – Caddo Common Park the epicenter for health and creativity in Caddo Parish,” exclaims Patrick Wesley, Director of Caddo Parish Parks and Recreation.
Caddo Common Park is located at 865 Texas Avenue, in the heart of Shreveport Common, the City’s newest / oldest cultural community spanning 9-blocks in the western edge of Downtown. Within weeks, construction begins on the Theatre Pavilion with a state of the art Digital Wall by Ochsner LSU Health, signaling an opportunity for major outdoor concerts and theatrical events, movies, and even sports games projected for all to see. “We want the community to come and experience intimate events and exercise opportunities in Caddo Common Park to prepare for the big theatre experience coming soon,” explains Natorshau Davis, Caddo Common Park Coordinator for the Shreveport Regional Arts Council.
Chuck Daigle, CEO for Ochsner LSU Health Shreveport” shares, We are proud to partner with the Parish of Caddo and the Shreveport Regional Arts Council to encourage healthy lifestyles through the venue of Caddo Common Park. Many of the Fitness Instructors and Wellness Activities will come from the Louisiana State University Health Shreveport while monthly healthy heart recipes and other wellness programming are developed by the team at Ochsner LSU Health Shreveport.”
Organizations and Groups are encouraged to book creative public productions in Caddo Common Park. Programs are approved by the Shreveport Regional Arts Council and the must receive a City of Shreveport Permit. Call or email Natorshau Davis for more information:caddocommon@shrevearts.org; 318-673-6500.
