Livingston Parish opens convention bureau office, tourist center By CYNTHIA V. CAMPBELL Travel editor With plenty of hand-shaking and smiles, Livingston Parish officials dedicated the new Convention and Visitors Bureau office last past week. The structure, located at the crossroads of I-12 and La. 43, also will serve as a tourist welcome center. The center is about 10 minutes west of I-55. Phillip J. Jones, Louisiana's secretary of Culture, Recreation and Tourism, spoke at the official dedication. Jones told the gathered crowd, "Investing in tourist infrastructure is very important. You've really put your best foot forward to share your entire parish with visitors." Citing Louisiana's role as America's leading state in tourism growth, Jones said the parish was surpassing all records. He said, "From 1994 to 1999, Livingston Parish's rate of growth in tourism has been 50 percent." He added, "Last year, 97,000 visitors came to Tickfaw State Park." "There are so many small communities in this parish that have so much to offer visitors," said Jones. "Congratulations, and keep up the good work." State Sen. Clo Fontenot was among the guests at the dedication. "I'm impressed to hear about the number of visitors to the state park. I'm excited about tourism," said Fontenot. "Anytime you can have an increase like that with a clean industry, it's something to be proud of." Kenny Morrison, owner of KMC charters and a member of the tourist commission, said the new center was built at the Albany/Springfield exit off I-12 when the property became available at a reasonable price. "This is a growing area," he said. "A new 18-hole golf course is being built in Springfield on Blood River on the old Carter Plantation. A Hawthorne Suites is also being built in that area. They are private business." The country-styled center, constructed of wide cedar planking, features an old-fashioned tin roof and shady wrap-around porch with a convenient ramp for disabled visitors. The spacious interior has ample room for CVB offices, a meeting room and reception area. Visitors can pick up brochures and maps on attractions throughout Livingston Parish as well as other regions of Louisiana. Located just east of Baton Rouge and northwest of New Orleans, Livingston Parish attracts antique enthusiasts and people looking for rest and relaxation. Its 425,000 acres include forests, scenic rivers and bayous. Tickfaw State Park, which opened May 15, 1999, is an eco-minded park on the Tickfaw River. Facilities include nature pavilions, improved campsites and cypress vacation cabins. Area attractions include antique shops in Denham Springs and Springfield, the Hungarian Harvest Winery and Louis Bartus Hungarian Sausages at Albany, Old South Jamboree at Walker, restaurants featuring Southern and Louisiana cuisine and numerous fishing and boating sites. Will Clark, executive director of the Livingston CVB, said plans for the coming year include encouraging the residents of Livingston Parish to get to know their own area. "I want Livingston Parish to know Livingston Parish itself," said Clark. "I want to have some familiarization trips for business people and people involved in the economy. The hardest people to please are your own." Morrison added, "If you inform people at home, they can be ambassadors too." To contact the Livingston Parish Convention and Visitors Bureau at Albany, call 225-567-7899.