New Nature Trail in Vermilion Parish

Seven years ago a group of Vermilion Parish residents had a vision to create a nature trail through an acre of wetlands along the Vermilion River at Bancker Grotto Memorial Park. On Saturday, that trail became a reality when it was open to the public.
A wooden trail, around 800 feet long, built behind the grotto and the walkway, passes over wetlands, turns along side of the Vermilion River and heads back to the grotto.
The blessing of the wooden trail was held Saturday morning with political officials, members of the Les Chretines Inc., members of the Cade Family and others attended the ceremony. Fr. Emmanuel “Manny” Fernandez walked the trail and blessed it.
“It was an awesome feeling,” said Bonnie Broussard, the president of Les Chretines Inc., about it finally being completed.
Members of Les Chretines Inc. envisioned the trail being built back in the early 2000s. However, the process of building a nature trail takes time and paperwork.
Permits were filed in 2007 and were approved in 2009. Because of lack of funds, the project had to be built in stages. Volunteers spent a few Saturdays cleaning and clearing the wetlands No large trees could be cut down, according to the permit. Only trash trees were allowed to be cut.
All of the funds to build the walkway were made possible with the help of the state’s “Enterprise Fund.” Broussard said she first learned the funds were available after attending a police jury meeting in the early 2000s and then representative Mickey Frith spoke about the Enterprise Fund to the jury.
Broussard spoke to Frith after the meeting about trying to get funds for the walkway way back then. Over time, the money trickled in money from the state fund.
When the project was over, it cost $88,000.
Otto Hebert Lumber Yard in Delcambre furnished the wood and a carpenter for the project.
The entrance of the walkway has two unique concrete columns standing tall. The columns were discovered by volunteers who helped clear the swamp for the wooden trail to be built. Broussard said the concrete columns were from a rectory that was built next to the church in the 1800s at Bancker.
Broussard said the trail has many purposes. She said it is peaceful to walk along. It is also a great place for birding and to see nature.