[StBernard] Jean Lafitte National Historical Park: Louisiana's wild

[Westley Annis]

Jean Lafitte National Historical Park: Louisiana's wild
Alison Bath, USA TODAY 7:48 a.m. EDT July 3, 2013

Not far from New Orleans sits Barataria Preserve - a diverse treasure trove
of hardwood forests, marshes and swamps teeming with wildlife. Alligators,
snakes, nutria and more than 200 species of birds are just some of the
animals that make Barataria their home.

"You are right there, touching nature," said Kathy Plante, of Shreveport,
La., who has visited the preserve about six times. "It's a fascinating place
to visit."

This hidden gem, part of Jean Lafitte National Historic Park and Preserve,
is minutes outside the city. Yet most visitors to the Big Easy never know
they are so close to the heartbeat of Louisiana, said park spokeswoman
Kristy Wallisch. "It's 23,000 acres of wild Louisiana, and it's 17 miles
from New Orleans," she said.

Named for the famed 19th-century French pirate, Jean Lafitte is a system of
geographically separate but culturally connected interpretive centers,
historical sites and a wildlife preserve. The six units - including the
Barataria Preserve, Chalmette Battlefield and French Quarter Visitor Center
in or near New Orleans - highlight the state's culture, people and
environment, Wallisch said.

Military history buffs will delight in a visit to the battlefield, site of
the decisive Battle of New Orleans and final chapter in the War of 1812.
Chalmette offers visitors a lesson in the courage it took to develop the
country, said historian Gary Joiner.

"This was our defining moment ... where we proved we could stand alone
against the greatest power on Earth, and that was Great Britain," said
Joiner, a frequent park visitor and Louisiana State University-Shreveport
history professor.

The park also consists of the Acadian Cultural Center, Eunice; the Acadian
Cultural Center, Lafayette; and the Wetlands Acadian Cultural Center,
Thibodaux, which celebrate the state's Cajun culture, language, music and
food. Wallisch said the park's diverse offerings give it wide-ranging
appeal.

"It's a something-for-everybody park," Wallisch said.

Bath also reports for The Times of Shreveport, La.