The story of Kiroli Park began in 1925, when 40 members from three local service clubs - the Kiwanis, Rotary, and Lions - each contributed $100 to purchase the land. Their goal? To create a space where the newly formed Ouachita Council of the Boy Scouts could gather, camp, and grow. The park’s name “Kiroli” is a tribute to those clubs, using the first two letters of each name.

Since that moment, Kiroli has played host to thousands of scouts earning their badges, building lifelong friendships, and learning skills that would shape future doctors, engineers, judges, and leaders.

During his tenure, Monroe Parker focused on preserving the original topography and trail systems developed by the scouts. “We tried to save as many trees as possible,” he shared. “Some of these old shortleaf pines are among the last of their kind in North Louisiana.”

Parker also helped convert the park’s dirt trails into asphalt paths in the 1980s - trails that thousands continue to enjoy today. “We also opened new areas, like where Smiles Park now sits, by strategically removing and repurposing trees to protect the roots of older ones.”

One hidden gem is the old swimming hole, now a peaceful natural spring-fed area near the lodge. “It’s still fed by an underground stream to this day,” Parker added.

Kiroli’s legacy goes beyond recreation. In 1927, when the Mississippi River levees broke, devastating much of Northeast Louisiana, Kiroli served as an emergency evacuation center. “My father said you could get in a boat at Forsythe Park and float all the way to Vicksburg without touching land,” Parker recalled.

Army tents once filled the park, sheltering hundreds from April to August. Structures like the lodge and staff cabins were built during this time to support the displaced families and are still standing today.

Kiroli even served a role in World War II as a training ground due to its unique topography - bottomland cypress, upland hardwoods, and rolling hills all in one location.

Today, Kiroli Park remains a vital part of West Monroe life. Mayor Staci Albritton Mitchell called it “the largest municipally-owned park in Northeast Louisiana,” highlighting its value in enhancing local quality of life. “It’s what makes people want to live, stay, or return to West Monroe,” she said.

Recent improvements include trail renovations and the transformation of the former Boy Scout swimming pool into a native plant garden - now known as the Sunken Garden. The city also recently added pickleball courts and continues to enhance accessibility throughout the park.

Chris Post, Director of Event Facilities, emphasized the importance of that forward momentum. “Kiroli has always been a place where nature and people come together. Every generation has added something meaningful - from new structures to new programs -without losing the park’s original heart,” he said. “Seeing it continue to evolve while honoring its history is something really special.”

As the city marks Kiroli’s 100th anniversary, Mayor Mitchell hopes visitors walk away with a sense of pride and understanding. “I want people to know that this park exists because of 40 individuals who believed in this community enough to invest in it,” she said. “That legacy continues, and it’s up to us to preserve and grow it.”

For Monroe Parker, the park’s significance is deeply personal. His son spent the first years of his life there, and his favorite memories are simply the everyday moments - watching families play, generations reconnecting with nature, and kids learning just like the scouts once did.

Whether you’re walking a historic trail, attending a community event, or simply enjoying the peace beneath towering pines, every step in Kiroli Park is a walk through time.

Want to dig deeper into Kiroli’s history? Visit the Facebook group “I Remember Camp Kiroli” for historic photos, stories, and even rare footage from the 1927 flood. And make plans to attend the 100th birthday bash on October 18th!