NEW ORLEANS – July 3, 2015 – (RealEstateRama) — Mayor Mitch Landrieu, City and State officials and the U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development (HUD) celebrated the opening of the Marigny portion of Crescent Park to the public. With the completion of the ADA-compliant Mandeville Crossing pedestrian bridge and elevators, all of Crescent Park is now open to the public, including the Mandeville Shed and Ellipse. The Bywater portion of Crescent Park opened to the public in February 2014.
Crescent Park is open to the public daily from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. During daylight saving time, Crescent Park is open until 7:00 p.m.
“With the completion of the Mandeville Crossing pedestrian bridge and elevator, all of Crescent Park is now open to the public providing our residents and visitors unprecedented views of the New Orleans skyline, Algiers, and Mississippi River,” Mayor Mitch Landrieu said. “The Mississippi River is a cherished resource, and Crescent Park offers the public even more access to its beauty. As one of my administration’s committed capital projects, Crescent Park will further anchor redevelopment and revitalization along our riverfront. As we get closer to New Orleans’ 300th anniversary in 2018, Crescent Park is another great example that we are building the city we always knew New Orleans could be.”
Crescent Park provides unparalleled views of the New Orleans skyline, Algiers, and Mississippi River, creating an environment for residents and visitors alike to interact and enjoy new vantage points of New Orleans and recreational space along the riverfront. By reconnecting to the Mississippi River, New Orleans joins the growing list of world-class cities that are exploring opportunities to restore and enhance the natural environment while simultaneously improving residents’ quality of life and enjoyment of the outdoors.
Councilmember-at-Large Stacy Head said, “The addition of public gathering spaces to our urban landscape is a sign that New Orleans is investing heavily in quality of life for residents. Our investment in Crescent Park and others is based on the knowledge that thriving parks lead to economic growth and attract other amenities, which in turn leads to prosperity in our neighborhoods. Crescent Park is now a must-visit attraction, a treasure that invites and delights young and old. New Orleans is unbelievably lucky to have some of the best parks in the country—City Park, Audubon Park, Joe W. Brown Park, Crescent Park, Lafayette Square, the Lafitte Greenway and many more.”
District C Councilmember Nadine M. Ramsey said, “Crescent Park represents a reimagining of the Mississippi riverfront that enhances the quality of life for residents and the New Orleans experience for visitors. It combines pathways, bordered with native plantings, and breathtaking views of the New Orleans skyline. It is a jewel in the crown of post-Katrina New Orleans and signals the bright future ahead.”
State Senator J.P. Morrell said, “The completion of Crescent Park has long been anticipated by the people of New Orleans since it was first envisioned. The Mississippi River defines our city and this park complements it perfectly. I applaud the many partners that came together to make this world-class improvement to New Orleans.”
The 1.4 mile park spans from Elysian Fields Avenue in the Marigny to Mazant Street in Bywater and includes 20-acres of indigenous landscaping, a network of paths suitable for walking, jogging, and biking; picnic areas, benches, a dog run and the adaptive reuse of two former industrial wharves. The walking paths within the gardens are constructed with permeable asphalt paving, an environmentally-friendly material that allows for rainwater penetration, thus decreasing the amount of stormwater run-off. Crescent Park is landscaped with native plantings, most of which are grown regionally.
Crescent Park was first envisioned in 2006 during a planning process led by the New Orleans Building Corporation (NOBC) in an effort to utilize portions of the Mississippi Riverfront that were no longer used for maritime commerce by the Port of New Orleans. The result was a unique project to develop the Mississippi Riverfront adjacent to the historic Marigny and Bywater neighborhoods into a public park space. Despite their proximity, these neighborhoods historically have been restricted access to the Mississippi Riverfront due to maritime port activities, active railroad lines and the Mississippi River floodwall. In 2008, the City awarded $31.2 million to the NOBC for this project, as part of the Hurricanes Katrina and Rita Long-Term Community Recovery Program of the State of Louisiana and HUD.
Earl Randall, New Orleans Field Office Director with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, said, “The City of New Orleans continues to make significant strides in recovery. Approaching ten years removed from Hurricane Katrina, we see a city determined to thrive while still keeping focused on all aspects of the City’s resurgence. Crescent Park adds another dimension to the unique essence of this great city, and provides a beautiful vantage of one of the City’s most cherished resources, the Mississippi River. HUD applauds the City for this innovative redevelopment of the riverfront and will continue the be an integral partner as New Orleans continues its recovery efforts.”
Pat Forbes, Executive Director of the Louisiana Office of Community Development, said, “Crescent Park will enhance the lives of New Orleans residents and provide yet another reason for tourists to visit the City. This park highlights the beauty of New Orleans, the beauty of the Mississippi River and how hard we’ve all worked together to bring the City back safer, stronger and smarter.”
Construction of Crescent Park began in late 2010, implementing a linear design along the riverfront. The City coordinated with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Port of New Orleans, New Orleans Public Belt Railroad and Sewerage and Water Board of New Orleans throughout Crescent Park’s construction.
Cedric Grant, Acting CEO of NOBC, said, “Crescent Park has been highly anticipated for years. Because of its unique location along the Mississippi River, between two active maritime wharfs and behind a floodwall and active railroad lines, it has required a considerable amount of coordination and work. Its completion is a major accomplishment that will transform our connection to the Mississippi River. Park space is central to the City’s place-based development strategy. Crescent Park offers a one-of-a-kind experience that will attract residents and visitors to engage with our natural environment like never before and adds another memorable space that highlights how truly unique New Orleans really is.”
Crescent Park was designed through a collaborative effort led by Eskew+Dumez+Ripple and a team of architects including George Hargreaves and Michael Maltzan. Crescent Park was constructed by Landis Construction of New Orleans and managed by The Tobler Company on behalf of the City of New Orleans. Six local DBE firms worked on Crescent Park including: Balthazar Electriks, Richard’s Disposal Inc., Baker Ready Mix, Larry McCorkle Steel, Cabildo Staffing, and Concrete Pavers.
NOBC has entered into a cooperative endeavor agreement with the French Market Corporation to operate, maintain, and provide security at Crescent Park. Click here for information on rental rates 
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Jon Smith, Executive of the French Market Corporation said, “There is no mistaking that this city is shaped by its relationship to the river and Crescent Park certainly gives the citizens of New Orleans an opportunity to enjoy the Mississippi River in a way that’s never been realized. The French Market Corporation is thrilled to be able to take our sensibilities for operating some of the most important public spaces in the Vieux Carre and apply them this shining jewel on the Mississippi River. We are eager to continue the fantastic relationships we’ve made with the various neighborhood organizations who have a stake in the operation of Crescent Park so that we can provide a public space that enhances the enjoyment of New Orleans as a whole and improves the quality of life in the neighborhoods it touches.”
PARK FEATURES (from Marigny to Bywater)
Mandeville Crossing – The Mandeville Crossing pedestrian bridge and elevators connects Elysian Fields Avenue to the Mandeville Shed. It features stairs and two elevators that connect to an elevated walkway crossing over the Mississippi River floodwall and active railroad lines.
Mandeville Shed and Ellipse – The Mandeville Shed is a former industrial wharf space that has been repaired and converted into an open-air community and event space and includes restroom facilities. At the edge of the Mandeville Shed is the Mandeville Ellipse, a raised grass lawn.
Promenade –The Promenade is a pedestrian and bicycle path that extends along the entire stretch of Crescent Park. Site lighting fixtures along the Promenade are LED luminaires, which provide ecological and durable energy efficiency. The Promenade does not include striping for bicycles. Cyclists are expected to use the Promenade in a similar fashion to Woldenberg Park (i.e. passive cycling).
Piety Street Arch – The Piety Street Arch pedestrian bridge connects Charters Street to the Piety Wharf. It features stairs crossing over the Mississippi River floodwall and active railroad lines. A public parking lot is located along Chartres Street at the foot of Piety Street.
Piety Wharf – Piety Wharf is a former industrial wharf space that has been repaired to provide sweeping views of the Mississippi River and New Orleans skyline. The area adjacent to Piety Wharf includes a garden and picnic area.
Downriver “Kickabout” and Dog Run – The Downriver “Kickabout” section of Crescent Park is located between the Piety Wharf and Mazant Street Ramp entrance. It offers open recreation space, a picnic area, and a fenced dog run. In this portion of Crescent Park, the banks of the Mississippi River include a natural river batture ecosystem.
Mazant Street Ramp – The Mazant Street Ramp connects to a public parking lot and the Promenade allowing access to all of Crescent Park.
Crescent Park features three entrances: the Mandeville Crossing pedestrian bridge and elevators (area between North Peters Street from Elysian Fields Avenue to Marigny Street and the floodwall), Piety Street Arch pedestrian bridge, and the Mazant Street Ramp. The Mandeville Crossing pedestrian bridge and elevators and Mazant Street Ramp entrances are ADA-compliant.
CRESCENT PARK RULES
1. Park Hours: 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Park is open until 7:00 p.m. during daylight saving time.
2. No skateboards, motorized vehicles, segways, motorcycles, scooters, glass containers or bottles, littering, heavy equipment or vehicles are permitted in the park.
3. No overnight activity.
4. Parking is only permitted in designated areas.
5. All pets must be leashed at all times while on the park grounds except in dog run area. All pets must be curbed.
6. No cooking of any kind.
7. No swimming.
8. No entry into Mississippi river, batture or areas beyond fences and guardrails.
Crescent Park Dog Run Rules
1. Dogs must be spayed or neutered.
2. Dogs must be healthy, vaccinated and collard with current rabies & ID tags. Choke or prong collars are not allowed in the off-leash area. Bordetella shots are strongly recommended.
3. Puppies under 6 months are prohibited.
4. Limit of three dogs from a household per visit.
5. Children less than 8 years are prohibited from entering fenced dog run area.
6. Children fewer than 16 years must be accompanied by an adult and should not run, chase dogs or pet other people’s dogs unless permission is granted by the owner. Children are not allowed to bring toys into the dog run.
7. When entering the dog run, remove dog’s leash once inside the gated area. Dogs must be on a leash and under control of their owners/handlers at all times when outside of the fenced dog run area.
8. Dog run gates must be closed immediately after entering or exiting the run.
9. Owners/handlers must discourage their dogs from running to meet other dogs at the gate.
10. Dogs showing aggression toward people or other animals must be leashed and immediately removed from the run by owners/handlers.
11. Owners/handlers must remain inside of fenced area, with leash in hand, and within view and voice control of their dogs at all times.
12. Owners/handlers must immediately clean up after their dog(s) and properly dispose of waste. Plastic bags and garbage cans are available on the premises.
13. Owners/handlers must stop their dogs from digging and immediately fill any holes dug.
14. No dog treats, rawhide chews or human food within the fenced area. No glass containers are allowed.
15. No toys are allowed in the dog run except balls and frisbees.
16. No bicycles, rollerblades, skateboards, strollers or scooters allowed in the dog run. No jogging allowed in the dog run.
17. No smoking, alcoholic beverages, illegal drugs or firearms allowed in the dog run.
18. Owner waives liability to the City of New Orleans and the French Market Corporation for injury or damage caused by pet. Owners are solely liable for injuries or damages caused by their dog(s).
