Posted on May 4, 2026
By Ethan Tuttle
BATON ROUGE, La. (WAFB) -A long-running project to improve the University Lakes system continues, with plans for wider pathways and better lighting still years away from completion.
The project has been in development since 2016. Project manager Mark Goodson says that despite tens of millions in funding, project development lingers on.
Goal focuses on safety and connectivity
The project aims to increase connectivity and make the space safer for users. According to a press release, officials have secured $81 million in taxpayer funding, with $56 million already spent.
On Stanford Avenue, some paths sit just feet from passing traffic. Resident Daniel Lackey said the proximity creates safety concerns.
“It’s so close to the road, doesn’t feel safe,” Lackey said. “Car could come off, somebody could be distracted and just leave a little bit. Yeah, you gotta keep your eyes open on Stanford.”
The next phase aims to address those concerns with wider pathways and better lighting around the entire lake system.
“Ultimately what we want to do is provide safe paths for everybody,” Goodson said.
Funding delays pathway construction
Work on expanded paths cannot start until full funding is in place. Construction will follow as money becomes available, at an estimated cost of another $26 million.
Before pathway improvements can begin, the lakes themselves had to be addressed first.
“Deepening the lakes was really the first priority because otherwise there wouldn’t be a healthy lake system to enjoy,” Goodson said.
Dredging halfway complete
Dredging of the lakes has taken years and is only halfway done. University Lake is one of the last major pieces, expected to be finished this summer.
“When we started working on the project the average depth across all six lakes was two and a half feet. Which is just not good for water quality, it’s not good for plant and animal health,” Goodson said.
The project has logged a decade of work with more to come.
“It just enhances the enjoyability and access to the lakes themselves and just makes them safer for everybody,” Goodson said.
According to Goodson, construction on May street won’t be complete until the first quarter of 2027 with more enhancements to Wampold park still in the works.
