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Ten Things To Know About the Just-Opened Crescent Park

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It's been 24 hours since the will-it-ever-open Crescent Park ended the years-long waiting game and let in the thronging masses (or something like that). Even City Council Prez Jackie Clarkson appropriately summed up the opening of the riverfront redevelopment with a three-exclamation point-worthy, "Finally!!!..."
From the operating hours to what's up with the soiled soil issue: here now are ten things to know about Crescent Park.
1. Current park hours are 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. After daylight savings time begins (March 9) the park will be open until 7 p.m.
2. The open portion of the park is the Bywater side, from Mazant Street to Montegut Street.
3. There are two entrances currently open: The Mazant Street ramp and the Piety Street arch.
4. The Piety Wharf, an old industrial wharf space that's been fixed up, now provides "sweeping views of the Mississippi River and New Orleans skyline."
5. The downriver "kickabout," the area between the Piety Wharf and Mazant Street ramp with wide, open spaces and a picnic area is open.
6. There's a fenced-in, off-leash dog run that is open and there are many rules.
7. Speaking of rules: No skateboarding, no cooking of any kind, no glass go-drinks, and don't try going for a dip in the Mighty Mississip.
8. The entire park won't be open until the Mandeville Crossing is finished. The elevated pedestrian bridge that goes over the Mississippi River floodwall takes the blame for some of the opening hold-ups, as it had to be redesigned. Construction should start this spring and wrap up by the end of the year.
9. The Mandeville Shed, a former wharf-turned-open-air event space, and the Mandeville Ellipse, a raised grass lawn, are both closed until the Mandeville Crossing is ready.
10. Oh, and about that dirty dirt? "The contractor is still in the process of addressing issues related to the soil pH concentration levels," the city's press release says.
· City opens Bywater portion of Crescent Park to the public [nola.gov]
· Crescent Park coverage [Curbed NOLA]