By Jeffra DeViney

Sam Houston Jones State Park, an outdoor treasure, located in our own backyards, received some much needed love and attention this past Saturday, Feb. 19.

Five hundred volunteers rolled up their sleeves, grabbed shovels and hit the ground running to plant over 5,000 trees and shrubs. The event was part of an ongoing effort to rebuild the park after Hurricanes Laura/Delta devasted the woodlands and structures.

Long-leaf pine saplings were donated by The Nature Conservancy in Louisiana and by Citgo Fueling Good.

For the past year, efforts have been ongoing by Louisiana State Parks from clearing downed trees and debris to rebuilding structures all over the park. Memorial Day is the projected day of reopening the park.

Area Boy Scouts of America, club and corporate teams, along with families, gathered together to help make the restoration conservation initiative a huge success. The kids were even given grass and wildflower seed to plant.

Future generations of park visitors will once again, in time, enjoy the beauty of this nature oasis.