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Recreation
A Department or A District?
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I began coaching Little League in 1992. Over the next 20 years, I coached at least 25 baseball teams plus a few all-star teams. I also coached basketball and flag football. I coached in Mandeville at Harbor Field, Father John Field and eventually Pelican Park. Pictured is my championship team's newspaper clipping from 1993 … playing at Pelican Park. I was there when, with the support of the 4th Ward parents, we voted in favor of two millages in support of St. Tammany Recreation District #1. Today, we know it as Pelican Park.
I also coached in Madisonville at Pine Street. Our teams traveled to Lee Road, Bush, Folsom and Abita to play "West St. Tammany". I was there when, with the support of the Madisonville Youth Boosters, we voted, in favor of two millages to fund St. Tammany Parish Recreation District # 14. Today, we know this as Coquille.
All of my teams were called the Pirates. Not the Pittsburgh Pirates, but more like the Jimmy Buffet pirates. The Jolly Roger flew from our dugout. Championships were celebrated with a large pirate flag raised on the pole in center field. Parents of some teams came to games dressed as pirates … even a parrot on one's shoulder. Win or lose, we had a good time. We usually won.
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As a child, I played baseball and football for Covington Recreation Department (CRD). In 2009, I coached a 7/8 year old coaches-pitch team at CRD. I had no child on the team. Actually, I did not know a single player or parent on that team prior to the draft. We won the championship.
The philosophy is simple: Praise in Public, Chastise in Private … the same as running a business or managing a city.
The secret to the ice-dump move (pictured) is the coach gathers the team in front of him and gets down on one knee to address them. The 2 players with the ice cooler are told by their parents to approach from the back. You should see the eyes of the players in front of me widen just before the dunk.
Today my grandchildren call me "Coach." They call Karen "KK" (her maiden name initials) … same as her father called her.
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Covington Rec Department is the best recreational department any city, town or village has on the west side of St. Tammany Parish … because it's the only Municipal Rec Department on the west side of St. Tammany Parish. The City of Mandeville does not have a recreational department. Nor do the towns of Madisonville or Abita Springs. Nor the Village of Folsom nor communities of Bush and Lee Road. Each of those areas is serviced by a Parish Recreation District where the voters voted a tax upon themselves to build a recreational facility and a tax to maintain and run it. The idea that cities run recreational departments died in the 1990s. Cities should focus on streets, drainage, potable water, sewer and public safety. Today recreational facilities should have dedicated taxes and be run by "recreation" professionals.
Per the map, we, the Covington area, fall into St. Tammany Parish Recreation District #10. Three times voters have been presented plans. All three failed to get the necessary votes (once by only 34 votes).
Last week, I met with Parish Council folks Martha Cazaubon and Rick Smith. We discussed the process for reconstituting a board of directors for Parish Recreation District #10, strengths of CRD (football program, baseball fields), the challenge for CRD of running a basketball league with no gym and the need for a multipurpose community event center. Youth soccer, outside looking in, appears to be doing well with CYSA. Senior recreation falls upon the YMCA and COAST but could certainly use a boost.
No doubt the demographics of our community have changed dramatically over the past 10 years. Hundreds of young families have moved in with a need for quality recreational facilities. So, too, there is a need for adult rec and rec for seniors. Maybe it's time for a couple of field trips … to Coquille, to Abita, to Folsom … to learn what has worked for them and what has not.
If you're interested in joining me on such a visit, please reply to this e-mail. I'll be reaching out to these parks to see if they will accommodate us with such a visit.
In the meantime, here are links to their Districts:
#11 AbitaSports
#12 Magnolia Park Folsom
#14 Coquille
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Solicitors and Panhandlers
Instructions from Chief Ferrell to our Officers
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Officers,
Many of you may have noticed an increase of solicitors, pan handlers, and recently a first amendment auditor within the city limits. These individuals can at times cause unnecessary drama, and if handled incorrectly, may result in a hefty payout in civil court. First amendment auditors can be especially stressful for a newer officer. Let's make sure that we are all handling these types of calls correctly. The City of Slidell was fined $25,000 for arresting a panhandler.
Solicitors
Soliciting within the city is regulated by City Hall. Solicitors must apply for the proper permits allowing them to go door to door offering a service or product in exchange for money. The permit must be issued by the City of Covington (i.e. our Police Department), not the state or the parish. Each solicitor must be able to provide the permit when requested to do so and must also leave a residence when asked to do so by the resident. Soliciting is only allowed between the hours of 0900 hours and 1800 hours and 0900 hours to 2000 hours during daylight savings. Absolutely no soliciting of any kind is allowed on Sundays. This does not pertain to Jehovah's Witnesses and other faith-based groups who commonly go door to door or to political candidates.
(Side note: Residents should have by now texted CPDLA to 847411 and entered the auto response as a new contact: Cov PD. If a solicitor is violating any of the above restrictions, simply send a text message. It will go to an officer on duty. This is for non-emergency communications. For emergencies, still call 911) MMJ.
Beggars (Panhandlers)
Begging for money in public areas is a constitutionally protected First Amendment right that has been upheld by the Supreme Court. Subjects standing in areas considered "public forums" can only be removed from the area if you can articulate that the subject or subjects are in danger of being injured. An example would be if the panhandlers are entering the roadway to panhandle, rather than remaining in the grassy areas located in the center or the side of the roadway. They are not allowed to be in the roadway. A few years ago, the City of Slidell had to pay out a large sum to a homeless lady who sued the city after being removed from the side of the road. Just keep an eye on them and make sure they are being safe.
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Hubie Gallagher Tennis Courts
Our tennis courts are now open for play. Curing of the striping was challenged by some cold weather and some rains.
Due to noise concerns, no pickle ball is allowed at the tennis courts. Administration has gathered information on the cost of building 4 pickle ball courts and will present to the Council this Spring along with several other discretionary spending projects for their consideration.
| | A Lot Happening Around Town: | | |
Ticket sales are now open for Chef Soiree 2026 hosted by Chevron. Join the community on Sunday, March 15, 2026, from 5 to 9 p.m. for a beautiful evening at Bogue Falaya Park.
Big Thank You to "A Gift Given in Jesus' Name" (the IJN Foundation), all $1,000 to $5,000 sponsorships will be matched up to $100,000 with all proceeds directly supporting the YSB's five programs.
Also, thanks to Gulf Coast Bank & Trust Company for providing their trolley-shuttle. The trolley will run every 15 min from 4:30 pm -10 pm. Pick-up location will be the Justice Center parking garage in Covington and drop-off will be at Bogue Falaya Park.
Details and Tickets
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The Civil War in Covington
A Little History
| | The Claiborne Courthouse, located in front of the Chimes Restaurant, was built in 1818. It is likely it was visited by Union troops in July of 1863. | |  | Christ Episcopal's original church building was constructed in 1848. It, too, was likely visited by Union troops in July of 1863. | | | |
The Union Troops entered Covington near Bogue Falaya Park where they came upon two young boys bathing / skinny dipping in the river. The nude boys were placed on mules and led around town as the Yankees tore down Confederate flags and insignia.
One of those boys was the great, great, great grandfather of cigar shop proprietor Patrick Clanton. No, Patrick was not there.
| | | For the full story of Covington during the Civil War, I refer you to the book Sesquicentennial in St. Tammany written by Adrian D. Schwartz under the auspices of the Covington City Council, 1963. And No, before you ask, I don't know where to find additional copies : ( | | Replies to this e-mail go directly to Mayor Mark. | | Rooted in History, Focused on the Future | | | | |
