News BREC and Build Baton Rouge Announce the Grand Opening of Erie Street Park -- A Major Milestone in the Revitalization of the Plank Road Corridor

BREC, in proud partnership with Build Baton Rouge, is thrilled to announce the completion and grand opening of Erie Street Park, a transformative green space developed as part of the Imagine Plank Road Plan for Equitable Development. The park will officially open to the public with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Wednesday, June 18 at 9 a.m. at 3069 Plank Road. 

This newly completed pocket park represents a key step in revitalizing the Plank Road corridor by bringing an intentional, community-driven design to the heart of North Baton Rouge. Erie Street Park serves as a social and passive recreational space, offering residents a safe, vibrant gathering place while contributing to flood mitigation, public health improvement, and economic development. 

The park was made possible through the collaborative efforts of BREC, Build Baton Rouge, Co-City Baton Rouge, Rebuilding Together Baton Rouge, Republic Services Charitable Foundation, and numerous local partners. It is part of the JPMorgan Chase AdvancingCities initiative, led locally by Build Baton Rouge and Co-City Baton Rouge. 

“Erie Street Park is more than just a green space—it’s a symbol of what is possible when communities come together with a shared vision for equitable development,” said BREC Assistant Superintendent of System Planning, Reed Richard. “This park brings life and connection back to an area rich in history and potential.” 

Build Baton Rouge was instrumental in creating the vision and delivery for the redevelopment of Plank Road. “This park concept was shaped by extensive community input and place-based design principles. It complements broader revitalization strategies in the area, including the forthcoming Bus Rapid Transit (BRT), lighting improvements and the MOVEBR Program,” said BBR president and CEO Deidre Deculus Robert.  

Funding for the project totaled $275,000, with major contributions from BREC ($75,000), Build Baton Rouge ($75,000) through a grant awarded from the JPMorgan Chase Advancing Cities Initiative, and Republic Services Charitable Foundation ($125,000) via a Rebuilding Together BR grant. 

Design and construction were led by BREC’s Planning & Engineering team, inspired by LSU Landscape Architecture students. Work was executed both in-house and through local contractor Rotolo Consultants, Inc. (RCI). 

As implementation of the BRT system begins, Erie Street Park stands as a cornerstone of the corridor’s revitalization—offering a welcoming space where families, neighbors, and visitors can gather, relax, and reconnect. 

Media and community members are invited to attend the ribbon-cutting ceremony on June 18 at 9:00 a.m.