Monroe sits along a bayou, surrounded by wetlands and forest. The Ouachita River and three lakes provide year-round fishing. Monroe's public parks feature sports fields, playgrounds and picnic areas. Community centers in Monroe offer a variety of sports and fitness classes. The centers also host athletic leagues. And for those who wish to pamper themselves, the city has plenty of day spas.
Parks
Monroe is home to 13 public parks and the Black Bayou Lake National Wildlife Refuge. Black Bayou is a 4,500-acre refuge that contains a lake. The refuge offers hiking trails and canoe rentals, and hunting and fishing is allowed in parts of the property. Restoration Park is a 70-acre park that features forests, wetlands and a stone trail. Forsythe Park offers swings and climbing units for children, as well as public tennis courts, volleyball courts, soccer fields, a nine-hole golf course and a ballpark.
Fitness Classes
The Harvey H. Benoit Community Center offers martial arts classes three evenings a week, as well as a dance class on Tuesday evenings. The B.J. Washington Center offers fitness programs for adults and children. Children train for free and adults pay a small monthly fee. Taekwondo classes are available two evenings a week at the Emily Robinson Center. The Saul Adler Community Center offers karate classes and dance groups, including one for seniors.
Sports
Monroe has an 18-hole golf course that is open seven days a week. Youth basketball and football leagues are offered at the Harvey H. Benoit Community Center, the Emily Robinson Center and the Powell Street Neighborhood Center. Youth basketball and football leagues are also available at the Emily Robinson Center. Boxing training for competitive and recreational boxers is available at the B.J. Washington Center. The Saul Adler Community Center hosts a softball league and an adult basketball league. The Henrietta Johnson and Liller-Marbles community centers have public pools.
For Children
The Northeastern Louisiana Children's Museum offers interactive exhibits and special events. Exhibits focus on science and the natural environment. Health hall teaches children about the human body and lets them pretend to be a paramedic. The Charles Johnson Children's Park features a walking path, swings and a basketball court.
Day Spas
Monroe has 11 day spas. The spas offer a variety of services including massage, facials and skin care treatment. A Bodyworks Massage and Spa features hot rock therapy, reflexology and salt scrubs. Quiet Time Massage and Bodywork offers spa parties for groups of three to six people. Guests can enjoy aromatherapy, deep tissue or hot stone massages.
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