Folks driving past the Winn Parish Courthouse will notice that the crepe myrtle trees that had stood in front of the building are now gone.  This is part of a planned, major re-landscaping project of the Police Jury, explained Secretary/Treasurer Karen Tyler.

This action was not a sudden one by the jury but one that has been under discussion all year as they sought idea, quotes and a contract.  The trees themselves had issues with aphids and blight.  The ground is uneven, sidewalks cracked by roots and drainage is a problem, Mrs. Tyler said.

“When a prospective new business looks at our town, the first thing they see is the courthouse.  The police jury wants this to be a pretty spot here in the middle of downtown,” she said.  “They decided to start over.  They’ll leave the oaks but fix the sidewalks and drainage.  Level the landscape, bring in dirt.  They want people to see grass, not roots and dirt.”

Landscaping plans aim for a low-maintenance final product including flower beds, some with rocks, some with pinestraw.