Posted on March 31, 2025
BAY ST. LOUIS, Miss. – Bay St. Louis leaders broke ground on the second phase of the Bayou Lacroix Boat Launch Improvement project Thursday afternoon.
The amenities in the area were destroyed by Hurricane Katrina, leaving the residents without a way to access Bayou Lacroix safely.
Now, the second phase of the project, which includes a kayak launch, is in the works.
“This is going to be very nice for those who like to kayak, fish or just kayak and enjoy the waterways,” said Gene Hoffman, Ward 2 city councilman in Bay St. Louis.
The phase is estimated to cost $150,000 and will be funded by The Mississippi Outdoor Stewardship Trust. Their members saw the need for the project after Hurricane Katrina wiped out the previous amenities.
“There wasn’t a boat ramp anywhere near this area of Bay St Louis,” said David Holman, a trustee with MOST. “The residents, as you can see, use it virtually every weekend, and that parking lot is packed. This project is going to give the kayakers a place that they can come and use the facility as well.”
With access to the bayou, kayakers and boaters can reach the Bay of St. Louis and the Jourdan River more easily than ever before.
For many, it’ll be their first time on the waters while others like Councilman Hoffman will get to relive their childhood.
“I grew up coming over here, and we always use this launch to access the Jourdan River and go water skiing,” said Councilman Hoffman. “To open this back up to the public and allow that access has been a wonderful thing and it’s been a long time coming since Katrina.”
Hoffman is optimistic that phase two will only take about four weeks to complete, finishing just in time for summer.
The overall cost of the project is now up to approximately $1.4 million.
