Boaters have a new destination on the north shore of Lake Ponchartrain in Louisiana now that the City of Slidell has officially opened the new Slidell Municipal Marina at Heritage Park. At the same time, the City has also achieved a national award from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

Just six miles up Bayou Bonfouca, the new marina began after repairs for the damage to the bulkheads and sidewalks caused by Hurricane Katrina weren’t fully funded by FEMA public works funds. The City of Slidell secured a $1.5 million federal grant through the Boating Infrastructure Grant (BIG) program to fully fund the necessary bulkhead and sidewalk repairs, as well as the marina project improvements to Heritage Park. The total project cost approximately $2.6 million.

The marina adds fixed and floating docks to Heritage Park and includes three docks.

“A” dock behind the amphitheater includes nine finger-pier type slips that accommodate boats up to 60 feet in length and includes hook-ups for power, water and pump out service.

“B” dock is a 500- foot floating side-tie dock and includes power and water for up to 18 boats.

“C” dock is an 800 linear feet fixed concrete dock, which can hold about 40 boats at an average length of 26 feet. Other improvements include over 1,600 feet of new bulkhead and sidewalks along the banks of scenic Bayou Bonfouca.

The “A” and “B” docks include hookups for electricity and water. Dock “C” is free to use during the day, but overnight stays require reservations.

Officials from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recognized the City of Slidell with an “Excellence in Site Reuse Award” for the development of the Bayou Bonfouca Superfund Site. The EPA gives this award once a year to recognize those who have gone above and beyond in redeveloping a Superfund site. An old creosote plant was once located on the bayou.

“By leveraging resources and working toward an ambitious vision, the City of Slidell has turned an environmental problem into a community asset,” said Regional Administrator Anne Idsal. “EPA congratulates the city on their efforts to create this economic and recreational resource for the people of Slidell.”

“We are honored to be receiving this distinguished award from the Environmental Protection Agency,” said Slidell Mayor Freddy Drennan. “Heritage Park is a great asset for the City of Slidell and something that our community enjoys on a daily basis.”

Reservations can be made through Dockwa, the City of Slidell’s third-party service, via the website at www.dockwa.com or the Dockwa app which can be downloaded on smart phones or tablets from the App Store or the Google Play store. Fees start at $.75 per boat foot per day and boats can stay at the marina for up to 14 days.

Boats will also have access to hookup to electricity and water and can pay those fees via the onsite kiosk and using the Dockwa confirmation number. Holding tank pump out service is also available for an additional $5 fee.

“People often complain about the progress of government. This project is an example of this administration working with our local partners, including Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality and others following the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina,” said Councilman Bill Borchert, who was instrumental in securing the Boating Infrastructure Grant funding for the marina. “We came back bigger and stronger with a better facility for our citizens to enjoy, and with nearly a $2 million savings to local taxpayers.”

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