The HugYourPeople Community Park, located at 4412 Lee Street is owned by the City of Zachary.  The park was officially dedicated on Saturday, May 18th, 2019. The beautiful tree lined memorial park is located at Virginia and Lee Street at the entrance of the Zachary Historical Village. The park now sits on two parcels of property formerly owned and occupied by *Dr. W.D. Wall/Dr. Burl B. Lane Home and *Marshall Bond Home.

We welcome you to come explore the bright colored train themed children’s playground and enjoy a fun-filled day, while remembering those whose lives were tragically lost in our community. The park is in memory of Joseph Hemba, Madeline Hemba and Darin Vince, who perished in a boating accident in 2018, Veronica Waldrop, who died of cancer in 2017 and Police Officer and Fireman, Chris Lawton, the first police officer to die in the line of duty in 2018. In 2020, the Zachary Charity League buried a time capsule at the park, which is scheduled for opening in the year 2040. The time capsule contains letters and pictures of experiences during the 2020 Coronavirus pandemic. 

The playground park equipment and its amenities were purchased through fundraisers organized by the City of Zachary and the HugYourPeople Committee.  The City notes the generous city partnerships with The Zachary Charity League, The Rotary Club of Zachary, The Kiwanis Club of Zachary, Farm Bureau Insurance, Armco Electric and those who in the community for making this possible.   

 “We hope the new park will provide families safe access to quality park facilities and further enhance our beautiful Zachary Historic Village, while serving as a lasting remembrance to those who tragically lost their lives in our community,” says Mayor David Amrhein. 

*Dr. W.D. Wall/Dr. Burl B Lane Home Information

• 1920 – Dr. W.D. Wall built bungalow style home
• ​Dr. Wall married Ludie Patout and they constructed their home
• Upon the Death of Dr. Wall, Dr. Burl B. Lane purchased the home
• Installed offices and waiting rooms inside
• 1980 – Matt & Patty Galey purchased the home
• Current –torn down to make way for a playground for children, now the HugYourPeople Park

*Marshall/Lucille Bond                                

• 1940’s Marshall Bond had the “salt box” style home built for his wife, Lucille Whitehead
• Mr. Bond was a druggist, a long time Zachary City Councilman and served as Mayor of Zachary from 1932 to 1938.
• Mrs. Bond taught at Baker High School for 35 years
• Current – torn down to make way for a playground for children ages 3-8, now the location of HugYourPeople Park