Bryan Park is a 34-acre (140,000 m2) community park in Downsville, LA. It features a 3-acre (12,000 m2) pond, surrounded by a walking trail, and around 40 species of trees.
Within the rural village of Downsville, you can enter Bryan Park by roadway or walking path from the graveled apron on LA 151. The park drive is approximately 3,330 feet (1,010 m) on a rise bordered by pines on one side and a meadow on the other. Cresting the rise, you may leave your vehicle at the parking areas and take a walk under the oaks. Follow an easy walking trail through bottomland hardwoods and mixed pine forest around the 3-acre (12,000 m2) pond, where you may sight such nesting species as black-throated green or black and white warblers, northern parulas, and red-shouldered and Cooper’s hawks. Wading birds such as great egret, great blue heron, and green heron also frequent the pond and the cattail perimeter hosts red-winged blackbirds. In the warmer months, honeysuckle attracts ruby-throated hummingbirds. Wetland migrants include marsh wren and common yellowthroat in the fall and spring. In the late winter until spring, black vultures court and cruise. Generally, the park boundaries are alive with woodpeckers, eastern bluebirds, various sparrows, vireos, Indigo buntings, eastern meadowlarks, bobwhites, mourning dove, northern cardinals and blue jays. There are also owls.
History
Bryan Park was originally part of the Bryan Sausage company. In April 2007, Bill and Sue Bryan donated the land to the Village of Downsville, with the stipulation that it be used as a public community park.