Park Forest/LA North

Part of East Baton Rouge Parish, the Park Forest/LA North neighborhood lies between the city of Baton Rouge and Denham Springs. Formerly an agricultural area, the neighborhood was founded by French Creoles in 1796, and the descendants of those pioneers still populate this expansive suburban space. Park Forest/LA North is a 20-minute drive to downtown Baton Rouge and the Mississippi Riverfront, and it's bordered on two sides by Florida Boulevard and Highway 190. It’s also adjacent to neighborhoods like Merrydale, Lobdell/Woodale and Broadmoor/Sherwood Forest. So, if you aren’t able to find something you need in Park Forest, you won’t have to travel far to secure it.

“This is a move-up neighborhood. Values here are a little above other Baton Rouge areas, and it’s not congested with traffic,” says Realtor Ronald Julien with Donald Julien and Associates BR. “The majority of the lots in Park Forest are more sizeable than in other subdivisions because they’re a little older, and the houses have a little more space than in newer homes. Most of what you’ll find in the neighborhood is ranch-style houses from the 1970s and 1980s.”

Living in Park Forest/LA North gives residents choices between gated communities, chic houses and attractive town homes. Designs throughout the neighborhood are overwhelmingly traditional, and you’ll find midcentury residences, cottages, estates, Acadians and ranch-style houses lining the streets. Prices range from $170,000 for a three-bedroom, two-bath home with under 2,000 square feet to $285,000 for a four-bedroom, two-bathroom ranch-style residence with over 3,000 square feet.

Students in the area have their choice of private, parochial or public schools. Park Forest Elementary introduces children to an interactive project-based learning community in a creative sciences and arts magnet school. It’s also one of the US Department of Education’s 2023 Green Ribbon Schools. Park Forest Middle helps students approach the future with confidence by involving them in robotics, renewable energy, digital media, animation and coding. Belaire High School was founded in 1974 to challenge children intellectually and build essential life skills. The facility's Jumpstart program teaches carpentry, pipefitter, hospitality and tourism through career and technical education. There are activities like athletics, clubs, band and JROTC too.

One of the biggest draws to Park Forest/LA North is all the green space scattered throughout the neighborhood. One of the most popular is the North Sherwood Forest Community Park. Designed to engage the entire family for hours, the space covers 133 acres and features a multi-purpose field, basketball courts, a fitness center and tennis courts. Indoor and outdoor walking trails take you through the park and near the three-acre lake. Surrounded by two rivers, this is a fabulous spot for birdwatching, and over 100 avian species can be seen here throughout the year.

Saigon Hong Kong Seafood Market is open seven days a week. The mid-size store welcomes you in with friendly smiles and overflowing aisles. You’ll find new ways to season, marinate and dip with the incredible selection of ingredients. From microwave noodle bowls to coffee candy to large bags of rice and fresh produce. In addition to selling limited home goods like rice cookers and small appliances, the store also has hot foods on the weekends including whole ducks, catfish and pork ribs.

If you’d like to dine in an inviting atmosphere, Frank’s Restaurant has been family-run for three generations. Opened in 1964, the eatery has been declared to have the “best homemade biscuits in the world.” Serving comfort food like seafood bisque, pork chops and a smokehouse po-boy, the restaurant has three locations to satisfy your hunger in a hurry.

Park Forest/LA North is filled with recreational options, everyday essentials and easy access to downtown Baton Rouge.

Photography Contributed By

Andrew Williams

Video By

Michael Voyack