The Parks

The Parks, located at Mark A. "Tony" Gulotta Bayou Plaquemine Waterfront Park in Plaquemine, offers convenient public access to Bayou Plaquemine and the Intracoastal Waterway. This award-winning, ADA-accessible facility features a boat ramp suitable for kayaks, canoes, and motorboats, making it an ideal launch point for exploring the bayou system. The park is open dawn to sunset and includes amenities such as restrooms, grilling facilities, and a pavilion—useful for preparing for longer paddling trips or relaxing after time on the water.

Paddlers should be aware of a no-wake zone extending from the Bayou Plaquemine train bridge to the Plaquemine Lock Historic Site, making this area particularly suited for calm-water paddling and wildlife observation. The ramp's location also provides easy walking access to several nearby attractions, including the Plaquemine Lock State Historic Site and local museums, allowing visitors to combine water recreation with cultural exploration. The site's proximity to the Atchafalaya National Heritage Area—home to America's largest river swamp and extensive bayou networks—offers opportunities for paddlers to explore diverse waterway systems in the region.