Airport
The Jena Airport is a general aviation airport for private planes with one lighted runway measuring 3,800 feet. The Olla Airport located 22 miles from Jena, is also a general aviation airport for private planes with one runway measuring 3,200 feet. Most of the air traffic consists of small private planes, but the airport does have the capacity to handle multi-engine planes.
CLEDA
The Central Louisiana Economic Development Alliance (CLEDA) is an organization which consists of the economic development entities from the parishes (counties) of Allen, Avoyelles, Catahoula, Concordia, Grant, LaSalle, Natchitoches, Rapides, Vernon and Winn.
The mission of the Central Louisiana Economic Development Alliance is to help people prosper in vibrant, thriving communities.
Education
Many colleges or universities are located near Jena. Five of these universities offer doctoral degrees in the arts, sciences, engineering, medical, and legal fields. These universities are nationally and internationally recognized as sponsoring extensive research activities.
Northwestern State University offers night classes at Jena High School. Louisiana Tech University offers night classes during the Fall Quarter for PreK-12 classroom teachers.
Local Universities and their distance from Jena:
- Louisiana College: 45 miles
- Louisiana State University-Alexandria: 50 miles
- University of Louisiana at Monroe: 60 miles
- Northwestern State University: 70 miles
- Louisiana Tech University: 90 miles
- Grambling State University: 100 miles
- Centenary College: 140 miles
- Baptist Christian College: 140 miles
- LSU Medical Center-Shreveport: 140 miles
- Southern University-Shreveport/Bossier: 140 miles
- Bossier Parish Community College: 140 miles
- Louisiana State University-Shreveport: 140 miles
The Jena Times
LaSalle General Hospital
LGH is a comprehensive healthcare clinic licensed for 49 acute inpatient beds, skilled nursing care (swing beds), a broad range of outpatient services, ambulance service (with financial support from the Ambulance Service District of LaSalle Parish), home health care, New Vision rehabilitation center and physician clinics in both Jena and Jonesville.
Library
The mission of LaSalle Parish Library is to offer informational, educational, recreational and cultural enrichment opportunities for the residents of LaSalle Parish, Louisiana.
Park
The town of Jena has a beautiful 30 acre town park located along the historical Hemps Creek.
Park Amenities
- Play Park for children 12 and under
- Splash Pad for children 12 and under
- 4 Tennis Courts
- Walking Trails
- Skating Rink
- Amphitheater
- 5 Ball Fields
Senior Citizen Center
The Town of Jena Senior Citizen Center brings together older adults who want to be engaged in their communities and with their peers. The center provides services that seniors need to be healthy, happy, and as independent as they can be. The center offers a wide range of services and activities. You can have a meal, make friends, get fit, take a class, be creative, get a ride, get help, have fun, help others, and more.
The Town of Jena Senior Center helps create an environment that encourages seniors to interact with others, get out of the house on a regular basis, and enjoy themselves. This can be an important element of a healthy aging-in-place strategy for an aging loved one.
To find the exact services, hours of operation, and qualifications, please contact Jena Town Hall.
Skating Rink
The Town of Jena Skating Rink provides a clean, safe, friendly, and fun entertainment center for the entire family. Skating is offered for all ages, and rink rental for birthday parties, private parties, and fundraisers is available October through April. Call the Town of Jena Municipal Office for skating rink reservations.
Payment is due when reservation is made.
Skating Rink Party Rental
$100.00 – Two Hours (30 or Less People)
Strand Theater
The restoration of The Strand Theater, originally from circa 1939, began in late 2009 under Mayor Murphy McMillin, the Town Council, and the Strand Task Force. Architect Jack Breithaupt was commissioned to begin the historic research to restore the façade and later along with wife, Ginger Breithaupt, designed the plans to rehabilitate the theater into a flexible multi-purpose Civic Hall. Construction was completed under the leadership of Mayor LaDawn Cooper Edwards. The Strand Theater is located at 3228 N First St in downtown Jena. Operations began in October 2021 as a venue to be used for performances, events and programs as well as a rental space for weddings, receptions, homecoming events, showers and more. The modern facility has a seating capacity of 300. Since opening Strand Theater Coordinator, Sheila Mason, has worked tirelessly to attract performers and ensure the facility is in excellent condition for guests.
For pricing and to schedule an event, please contact:
Strand Theater Coordinator, Sheila Mason
strand@townofjena.com
(318) 403-0181
If you would like to make a tax deductible donation, please make your check payable to:
Town of Jena Strand Theater Project and mail to Town of Jena, PO Box 26, Jena, LA 71342.
Splash Pad
The colorful Community Park Splash Pad has multiple elements that shoot water from the flooring as well as drop water from buckets from above.
Splash Pad Regulations
- Laughing, giggling, chuckling and having a blast are all permissible and highly recommended!
- This spray pad is programmed to operate between 10 am and 10 pm Monday-Saturday during the spring and summer seasons.
- The splash pad is not under continuous supervision by the Jena Recreation Department. Citizens using this facility are doing so at their own risk.
- This facility is under camera surveillance at all times.
- Pets are prohibited. Pet introduced diseases are difficult for the water treatment system to eradicate.
- Alcohol and tobacco products are prohibited.
- Food and drinks are prohibited on the splash pad.
- Climbing on fences and gates is prohibited.
- Profanity or ugly talking is prohibited.
- Bikes, rollerblades, and skateboards are prohibited.
- Grills are prohibited inside fenced area.
- Running or participating in disorderly behavior is unsafe and prohibited.
- Persons with communicable disease or anyone who has been ill with vomiting and diarrhea within the last two weeks are prohibited.
- Children in diapers must wear “swim diapers” to prevent contamination.
- Diapers must be changed in restrooms.
- Patrons refusing to obey the posted rules are subject to removal from the premises.
- Monday - Saturday 9:00 A.M. to 8:00 P.M. | Sunday 1:00 P.M. to 6:00 P.M.
- 236 Edwards Dr, Jena, LA 71342
- For more information call: (318) 992-2148
- If you see any unsanitary or unsafe conditions, please call 318-992-2148
- If no answer call, 318-992-6931
Walking Trails
Walking Trails are located in the Jena Town Park.
General Rules of the Trail
- Be courteous to all users.
- Stop, Look, and Listen!
- Keep right, except to pass.
- Always use safe speeds.
- Slower traffic has the right-of-way.
- Don’t block the path.
- Respect other’s right to a tranquil trail experience.
- Safety First!
- Control your dog.
- Be predictable.
- Use voice or bell when passing.
- Keep the trail clean.
- Plan ahead.
- Internal combustion engine vehicles are not allowed on the trail.
- Skateboards, in-line skates and roller skates are not allowed.
