Louisiana Revised Statutes Tit. 3, § 1141. Parishes empowered to acquire land

The governing authorities of the several parishes of this state may acquire the ownership of a tract of land, and when so acquired the title to the land shall rest in the public. In those parishes having large areas of different classes of soil, they may, under this Part, acquire tracts representative of the several classes of soil that predominate in the particular parish.