Bryan Park is a 34-acre community park in Downsville, LA. It features a 3-acre pond, surrounded by a walking trail, and around 40 species of trees. 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.
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 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.
The aim of Bryan Park is to provide a lush, scenic park to preserve a piece of the North Louisiana countryside and guide both local residents and visiting park-goers alike toward greener, healthier living with exercise, wholesome foods to be sold on-site in the future (including huckleberry jam, granola, etc.,) educational programs, and recycling. Bryan Park is situated on the famous Mississippi River Birding Trail. In fact, Bryan Park is specifically mentioned in this guide.
It is also an official wildlife refuge and habitat. Follow an easy walking trail through bottomland hardwoods and mixed pine forest around the 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. Owls are habitués. The park has a pavilion that mixes both vernacular and contemporary styles and features an eco-friendly design with water-less toilets, the first in Louisiana park history. There are also boardwalks and benches where you can take time to enjoy the beauty of the park.
The park is open from dawn to dusk. Please respect this beautiful environment by not littering or defacing anything in the park when you visit. Thank you.
