New Orleans Lafitte Greenway Chosen for 2017 Parks Build Community Project

Source: National Recreation and Park Association

Area to undergo partial lot-to-park transformation in 2017 

Ashburn, Va. (Nov. 16, 2016) — The National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA), a network of more than 52,000 park and recreation professionals and advocates, and the New Orleans Recreation Development Commission (NORDC) are proud to announce that the Lafitte Greenway in New Orleans has been chosen for NRPA’s 2017 Parks Build Community project. Portions of the Lafitte Greenway will undergo significant renovations as donors and local companies alike come together to transform the area into a vibrant public space where residents of all ages can gather and play.

Located along a historic transportation corridor, the Lafitte Greenway is a three-mile linear park with a bicycle and pedestrian trail that connects City Park to Louis Armstrong Park, which borders the French Quarter. The area includes several vacant lots that NRPA and NORDC will use to build sports fields, playgrounds, water features and numerous family gathering spots. The project will be unveiled Sept. 24, 2017, during the NRPA Annual Conference in New Orleans.

“We are thrilled to announce our eighth Parks Build Community project in New Orleans,” said Barbara Tulipane, NRPA President and CEO. “Over the next several months we will work closely with the New Orleans Recreation Development Commission and our generous sponsors to bring this project to life. Undoubtedly, it will make a positive difference in the community, giving children and adults the opportunity to explore the many benefits parks provide.”   

Vic Richard, CEO of NORDC, said, “We thank the National Recreation and Park Association for supporting the Lafitte Greenway. This beautiful corridor connects neighbors in different parts of the City and promotes healthy lifestyles for all. With this investment, we will continue to change lives of our residents and create healthy, safe spaces in our community.”

NRPA’s Parks Build Community is a national initiative aimed at demonstrating the transformative value of parks on the health and vitality of communities across America. To learn more about the Parks Build Community initiative, watch this video and follow the hashtag #ParksBuildCommunity.

To learn more about supporting this Parks Build Community project, visit www.nrpa.org/parksbuildcommunity/. 

To learn more about NRPA, visit www.nrpa.org.  

To learn more about NORDC, visit www.nordc.org.   

About The National Recreation and Park Association 

The National Recreation and Park Association is a national not-for-profit organization dedicated to advancing park, recreation and conservation efforts that enhance quality of life for all people. Through its network of more than 52,000 recreation and park professionals and citizens, NRPA encourages the promotion of healthy and active lifestyles, conservation initiatives and equitable access to parks and public space. For more information, visit www.nrpa.org. For digital access to NRPA’s flagship publication, Parks & Recreation, visit www.parksandrecreation.org.

About NORDC

NORDC provides safe, wholesome, educational, recreational and culturally engaging opportunities to the residents of New Orleans. NORDC facilities serve an urban population of 389,617 and are community-building cornerstones of nearly every neighborhood in the city. Facilities include recreation centers, playgrounds, parks, tennis centers, indoor and outdoor pools, and stadiums. Robust programming opportunities are free to all children and families across the city. For more information about NORDC, visit www.nordc.org.