Lafitte Greenway to undergo renovations by NRPA

This past November, New Orleans’ Lafitte Greenway was selected as the National Recreation and Park Association’s 2017 Parks Build Community Project. The project will be a collaboration between the NRPA and The New Orleans Recreation and Development Commission.

The renovations of the Lafitte Parkway are expected to be completed by Sept 24, 2017.

NORDC’s CEO Victor N. Richard III and its Chief of Staff Karla Rivera advocated for the Lafitte Greenway to be selected as 2017 Park Build Community Project, according to Gina Mullins-Cohen, Vice President of Marketing, Communications, and Publications of the NRPA.

“We always look for parks that have the most impact on communities, and we felt the Lafitte Greenway would do that best,” Mullins-Cohen said.

According to its November press release, The NRPA and its several donors will supply a community gathering space, basketball court, an all-age playground and a splashpad. Additionally, donors contributed bike racks, benches, trashcans and lighting.

Once the park has been completed, the NORDC will be responsible for the park’s upkeep.

Mullins Cohen said that the NRPA’s Park Build Community Project builds park to help underserved areas of the city, promoting health and wellness, conservation and social equity through green spaces.

Park Build Community Project has been building parks for the last nine years. In 2015, NRPA renovated Joe Kneip Park in North Las Vegas, and, in 2016, Trojan Park in Wellston, Missouri.

Check out the transformation of the two parks here:

Mullins Cohen said residents were elated at the new park renovations and constructions, as many of them showed pride, joy and care for the new addition in their community.

“These parks are safe place where little kids can play and mom’s can talk. it provides safe play areas, and a safe areas for families to make memories to gather,” Mullins-Cohen said.

Opened in November of 2015, The Lafitte Greenway is a 2.6 mile path that spans from City Park to Louis Armstrong Park.

• Lafite Greenway to undergo renovations in 2017 [Curbed NOLA]