The Walter B. Jacobs Memorial Nature Center opened in January 2026, introducing a series of new facilities designed to support the nature park’s growing number of annual visitors. The completed project includes a main building, event building, aviary, and property maintenance building, totaling 23,750 square feet of new construction. The site also features new drives, parking areas, and walking paths that connect seamlessly to the park’s existing trail system.

The approximately 12,000-square-foot main building serves as the heart of the campus and includes a double-height lobby, open reception area, gift shop, classrooms, a nature lab, administrative spaces, and 4,000 square feet of immersive exhibit space. TBA collaborated closely with Caddo Parish and nature center staff and the exhibit design team throughout the process to ensure the spaces support educational goals and enhance the visitor experience.

The project also includes an 8,460-square-foot event building capable of hosting up to 400 guests for a seated dinner. The facility features a warming kitchen, storage areas, restrooms, and attached bride and groom suites. Designed as a flexible venue, the building can be subdivided to accommodate smaller events such as parties, conferences, and archery tournaments. A large outdoor pavilion creates a direct connection between the event building and the main facility, offering additional space for gatherings and special events.

Site design was carefully planned to preserve the park’s natural surroundings and significant landmarks. Parking areas are organized into smaller pods that allow native vegetation to integrate throughout the site. Dedicated bus drop-off zones for school groups were incorporated and can be converted into food truck bays, enabling the park to host festivals and other community-focused events.