The Daily Advertiser

More than $11 million was raised in 2015 to help turn the former university horse farm into a park.

That means construction on the first phase can begin in 2016.

A donor, whose name has not been released, made a major contribution, earning the right to name the park, according to a news release from Lafayette Central Park Inc., the nonprofit organization tasked with planning, building and maintaining the park.

The most recent large contributions came as a $1 million challenge where donations made by Dec. 31 were matched by several donors. The total raised in December was more than $2.6 million.

Phase 1 of construction includes walking and running trails, tree houses, playgrounds, a pond, a dog park, a farmer's market pavilion, parking and restrooms.

It also includes much of the infrastructure needed for the park, including a new entry drive off Johnston Street, two parking lots, pedestrian and vehicular bridges over the Coulee Mine, along with water, electricity, drainage and sewer lines.

Lafayette Central Park Inc. is working to secure additional major donors and hopes to launch a public fundraising campaign in 2016. The goal is to successfully raise money for the full Phase 1 capital campaign by the end of 2017.

Community Foundation of Acadiana works in partnership with Lafayette Central Park Inc. to raise and manage contributions.

The city of Lafayette purchased the 100-acre horse farm property from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette after plans surfaced to develop it for housing or retail space.

The city has contracted with Lafayette Central Park Inc. to raise money and develop the property into a world-class destination park.