Palmetto Island State Park in full summer swing

What’s going on this summer at Palmetto Island State Park?
In a word, plenty.
The park is in the midst of is peak month and there are activities for pretty much everyone who enjoys the outdoors.
“We just had a playground built,” Palmetto Park Manager Marcelle Guidry said Monday morning. “We have a brand-new playground located by the splashpad.
“Of course, the splashpad runs every day, except for Mondays.”
Hours for the splashpad are 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Tuesdays through Sundays. Entry to the park is $2 per person. Children 3 and under and those 62 and older get in free.
Among other activities, there is an archery class for ages 9 and above scheduled for June 15. Those interested can call to pre-register. The number for the park is 893-3930.
Of course food is part of the summer.
“On the second Saturday of every month we are going to have a Dutch oven cooking demonstration,” Guidry said. “We will have free food for everybody.”
Friends of Palmetto Island State Park, an outside group that helps the park, will be offering a pair of programs. On July 6, the Friends of Palmetto will offer a painting class for children. The group will do the same for adults on Aug. 2.
At the end of this month, technology will play a big role at the park. There will be a Geocaching program on June 28.
“We have hidden Geocaches around the park and we show people how to find them,” Guidry said.
What exactly is Geocaching?
“It’s an Internet game where somebody hides something and enters the GPS coordinates,” Guidry said. “Someone gets those coordinates and, using their GPS, they go and find whatever the person hides. It can be a prize, or maybe sometimes they just sign their name. They are all over the world and the park has several permanent ones.
“It’s designed to get people to visit all the different parts of the park.”
While that program will put technology to use, the park certainly offers a traditional outdoor experience.
“We also have the nature center, camping and cabins,” Guidry said.
Outside groups are working with the park to bring the different aspects of the park’s nature closer to those who attend.
“There is a local group called the Louisiana Amphibian and Reptile Enthusiasts,” Guidry said. “They are doing a reptile and amphibian inventory for the park. They come out and they capture and photograph all the species in the park. When they are done, they are going to help us put a guidebook together.
“For people out there who really like reptiles and amphibians, the group is inviting them to come along with the guides when they check their traps and get the photographs.”
Guidry said the National Audumon Society goes to the park once a month to register and track birds.
“They do a demonstration and they allow people to get up close and look at the wild birds,” Guidry said.
Dates for those programs very, but Guidry said the park posts dates on its Facebook page.
It has not been just families who have taken advantage of what the park offers. Businesses and other groups are utilizing the grounds. In fact, the Vermilion Chamber of Commerce will hold its network luncheon this Thursday, June 12.
“We have a lot of company picnics,” Guidry said. “A lot of companies have started having their annual barbecues and picnics out there. We are also seeing a lot of family reunions.
“Those kinds of events certainly help our numbers.”
Those numbers have held steady in nearly four years since the park opened. Palmetto has remained in the top 10 in park attendance in the state.
“Our peak season is probably this month,” Guidry said. “We expect there to be some good numbers.”
Palmetto Island State Park will celebrate its fourth birthday in October. Guidry said she feels the area is just scratching the surface of what it can be.
“I think we are just getting better and better,” Guidry said.