New playground is part of national Parks Build Community initiative
Ashburn, Va. (Sept. 19, 2017) — The National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) and the New Orleans Recreation Development Commission (NORD), along with 11 national donors, are proud to announce the revitalization of Lemann Playground, a new community play space in New Orleans that was built as part of NRPA’s Parks Build Community initiative. Located on the historic Lafitte Greenway, the new playground will be unveiled Sunday, Sept. 24, 2017, at 2 p.m., ahead of the NRPA Annual Conference in New Orleans.
“NRPA is proud to present the city of New Orleans with this new play space — an area that everyone can call home,” said Barbara Tulipane, CAE, NRPA president and CEO. “This project represents our commitment to building better communities and ensuring everyone has access to the benefits that parks and recreation provide.”
Vic Richard, CEO of NORD, said, “NORD is thrilled to partner with the National Recreation and Park Association to build and unveil this year’s Parks Build Community project for Lemann Playground on the Lafitte Greenway. The opening of this new play space will continue to support and promote healthy lifestyles for all New Orleanians. This new investment will continue to enhance the lives of our residents.”
“I want to thank the NRPA for recognizing the great achievements of the New Orleans Recreation and Development Commission, Vic Richard and the amazing NORD staff,” said Mayor Mitch Landrieu, New Orleans. “This is a clear sign that our hard work has paid off. The NRPA’s investment in Lemann Playground will have a lasting impact on the Lafitte community for decades to come.”
Designed to meet the community’s need for additional recreational space, the new playground, valued at nearly $1 million, offers a variety of family-friendly amenities, including numerous state-of-the-art play structures and exercise equipment. As part of the Parks Build Community initiative, several companies have donated equipment and signage for the project. Donations include field lighting, exercise equipment stations, playground equipment, bleachers, water fountains, soccer goals and bike racks. Companies providing donations include Musco Lighting, Greenfields Outdoor Fitness, GameTime, BCI Burke, Concordia, PlayCore, iZone Imaging, Gared, Most Dependable Fountains, Scoremaster and Dero.
Everyone is invited to attend the playground’s unveiling, which will include a second line parade and a formal dedication ceremony with representatives from NRPA, NORD and the city of New Orleans, including Mayor Mitch Landrieu. The event will take place at 536 N. Prier St. and the parade lineup begins at 1:30 p.m.
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, visit this page and follow the hashtag #ParksBuildCommunity.
To learn more about NRPA, visit www.nrpa.org.
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About the National Recreation and Park Association
The National Recreation and Park Association is a national not-for-profit organization dedicated to ensuring that all Americans have access to parks and recreation for health, conservation and social equity. Through its network of 60,000 recreation and park professionals and advocates, 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 NORD Commission NORD provides safe, wholesome, educational, recreational and culturally engaging opportunities to the residents of New Orleans. NORD 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.