The Red River Waterway Commission celebrated the completion of $4.5 million in improvements at the Fort Buhlow Family Recreation Area in Pineville with a ribbon-cutting ceremony Friday, October 30, 2026. The event, organized by the Central Louisiana Regional Chamber of Commerce, highlighted new playgrounds, pickleball courts and fishing piers added to the recreation area.

The improvements include three dedicated playgrounds designed for children ages 6 months to 12 years, new pickleball courts for players of all skill levels and three fishing piers along the banks of Bayou Rigollette.

The 250-acre recreation area, located behind Lake Buhlow and the Pineville Airport, also features shaded picnic pavilions, multi-mile walking trails, a 36-hole disc golf course and a three-lane boat ramp providing direct access to the Red River.

Several Red River Waterway Commissioners attended the ribbon-cutting ceremony, including David Crutchfield, representing Rapides Parish; retired Col. Michael Deville, commissioner at large from Pineville; Ronald Lattier, representing Caddo Parish; and Charles Greer, commissioner at large from Natchitoches Parish. Also in attendance were Red River Waterway Commission Executive Director Colin Brown and Engineering Supervisor Kyle Smith.

The Red River Waterway Commission recognized the Central Louisiana Regional Chamber of Commerce for organizing the grand opening, Pan American Engineers LLC for designing the park improvements and Pat Williams Construction for completing the construction work. The commission also thanked Pineville Mayor Joe Bishop and the City of Pineville for their support of the recreation area.