by Wesley Harris
(This is the second in a series on local recreational areas in Lincoln Parish.)
One of Ruston’s most popular parks, R. L. Cook Park stretches across 28 acres of wooded terrain and open green space—an inviting oasis for families, fitness enthusiasts, and nature lovers alike.
From its morning hush to the laughter echoing from its playground, the park is alive with energy from dawn to dusk. The park at 2800 Kavanaugh Road features plenty of sun as well as extensive shady areas. The amenities are plentiful—trails, a pavilion with restrooms, a gazebo, and single picnic tables, while a splash pad and shaded playground sparkle with childlike delight during warmer days.
The new splash pad draws kids like a bear to a honey tree. Several other parks in Ruston feature splash pads as the city recreation department’s more economical alternative to a public swimming pool requiring lifeguards and burdensome maintenance.
The variety of offerings make Cook Park a great site for birthday parties, family reunions, and summer play dates for the kids.
Two intertwining paved loops invite visitors to get some exercise. The inner, a tidy ¼‑mile circuit (complete four times for a full mile); the outer, about 4/10 miles. Both are perfect for joggers, dog-walkers, and casual strollers.
Exercise stations dot the route, turning each walk into a mini-workout.
A hidden gem: a volunteer‑built, 1‑mile off‑road mountain‑bike loop, meandering through the forested southern reaches—a rustic contrast to the park’s manicured trails
What elevates Cook Park beyond its 28-acre boundaries is its seamless integration with the Rock Island Greenway—Ruston’s ambitious rail-to-trail project that traces the path of the old Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railway
Begun in 2017, the compacted aggregate trail now stretches the length of Ruston from the north city limits through downtown Ruston and Louisiana Tech to the south city limits.
The Greenway offers six miles of shared-use trail—cycling, walking, rolling—all within reach throughout the length of Ruston. The corridor links neighborhoods, Louisiana Tech, downtown shops, and natural hideaways
In urban planning, a greenway is more than a path—it’s a multi-functional corridor that fosters active transportation, eco-conscious gathering, and community vitality. Ruston’s Greenway exemplifies this: 12-foot-wide pavements coil through shaded forests, skirting historic points, and showcasing public art, including downtown murals.
Every jog at Cook Park, every ride along the Greenway, threads Ruston’s past with its present. They evoke the spirit of the old Rock Island Railroad, once vital to the town, now reborn as a communal spine.
With the Greenway, Ruston gains more than trails—it gains access and connection. From the splash pad’s shrieks to the steady rhythm of footsteps and the whisper of swaying pines overhead, R. L. Cook Park and the Rock Island Greenway tell the story of a city reclaiming its heritage—transforming rails into trails, and in doing so, weaving a greener, stronger, more connected tomorrow.
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The pavilion can be booked through Ruston Parks & Recreation by calling (318) 255‑5800. No motorized vehicles on trails; pets must be leashed; no fireworks or open flames on property. As with all city-maintained parks, Cook Park and the Greenway are open daily from sunrise to sunset.
