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Opelousas, Gulf and Northern Railroad “Rails to Trails”

Opelousas, Gulf and Northern Railroad “Rails to Trails”. Route of the Original “OG TRACK” from Melville, LA, to Port Barre, LA Transverses the upper western side of the Atchafalaya Basin Terminus at the Atchafalaya River in Melville

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Opelousas, Gulf and Northern Railroad “Rails to Trails”

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  1. Opelousas, Gulf and Northern Railroad “Rails to Trails”

  2. Route of the Original “OG TRACK” from Melville, LA, to Port Barre, LA • Transverses the upper western side of the Atchafalaya Basin • Terminus at the Atchafalaya River in Melville • Terminus at the banks of Bayou Teche and Bayou Cortableau in Port Barre

  3. Deep local historical significance for this area • Unspoiled beauty of bayous, swamps, heavy forests • 15.8 miles of trail, most of it currently maintained by the local and parish governments • Multiple easy access points • Can be tied into other areas in surrounding parishes

  4. Tremendous appeal for outdoor enthusiasts for camping, boating, fishing, hiking, exploring and biking • A great opportunity to educate about American Indians, the Acadians, shipping, and the social and economic relevance of the railway • The well developed railway base and the greatly undeveloped area is conducive to an easily transformed public recreational gem

  5. Remnants of the old railway are still visible • Several key crossings of bayous have pilings that can likely still be used

  6. Crossings

  7. Pilings visible

  8. Benefits • Easily developed access points are key • Melville, Old Ferry Ramp • Second Lake Pleasure Club Depot Location, WPA Road • US Hwy 71 • Port Barre, Bayou Cortableau Crossing

  9. SELLING POINTS • Enthusiastic support among landowners, community leaders and the area business owners • Ties directly into the Bayou Teche Water Trail • Is strategically located an hour from Alexandria, Lafayette and Baton Rouge • Native American Presence • Second Lake Pleasure Club Depot, an early 1900s Rod and Gun Club • Paddlewheel shipping route • Swayze Lake, location of the famous Dunbar child kidnapping • The Railway as a investor based alternative for shipping to Memphis and Baton Rouge

  10. SELLING POINTS • Showcases northeastern St. Landry Parish • Intimate Atchafalaya experience • Revolutionary economic impact for Melville and Port Barre and all of St. Landry Parish • Recreational Opportunities • Camping • Water Skiing • Fishing • Hiking • Photography • Cycling

  11. impediments • 5 Hiking/Biking Bridges would be necessary for crossing bayous • State Canal • Side Lake • Second Lake • Half Moon Bayou • Levee Barrow Pit near Hwy 71

  12. Steven Fullen | Executive Director Atchafalaya National Heritage Area Office of Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser Louisiana Department of Culture, Recreation & Tourism Mail: P.O. Box 44243, Baton Rouge, LA 70804-4243 Courier: 1051 N. Third St., Room B-20, Baton Rouge, LA 70802 Phone:225.219.0768Fax: 225.219.3010 Email: sfullen@crt.la.govWebsite: Atchafalaya.org

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