The 155-acre Lafreniere Park in Metairie, Louisiana, is like a scaled-down 843-acre Central Park in New York City. It is pronounced as lah-fren-YERE. Part of a 5,000-acre land grant to Nicholas de la Freniere from Bienville, it once held the race track at Jefferson Downs. In 1965, the track was wiped out by Hurricane Betsy. The land was then used to plan and build this park.
Paid for with a 5-million dollar bond issue, and a matching federal grant, the project was well designed and planned. It created a beautiful, green area at which its citizens could relax and play. Construction began in 1977, and it was dedicated about five years later. Some parts of the original plan were never built, but the finished project affords an opportunity for its visitors to enjoy active and passive recreation.
The meadow area, complete with trees and hills, is often a gathering place for large groups, such as the celebration on Independence Day. Visitors can hold picnics at shelters scattered around the area, most complete with power and water. Some of the public shelters can be reserved through the office for special occasions.
Man-made water designs enhance the beauty of Lafreniere Park. The waterfall and the 20-acre lagoon, which meanders through the park, are some examples. The entire park is a bird sanctuary, but Marsh Island, particularly, is where people go to see and feed swans, ducks, and geese. It also provides lessons in plant and other animal life native to the state. They can also spend time at the lovely gazebo on the elevated walkway.
There is a memorial garden in honor of children who have lost their lives. It is a formal garden, modeled after symmetrical sites in France. Two other areas in the park are equipped with playground structures for young children. Designed to be ADA compliant, they are close to the carousel and to the park office.
Other recreational opportunities afforded by Lafreniere are a Frisbee golf course, soccer and softball fields, and the two-mile Health Trac. Special gatherings can be held at the Foundation Center, or the eighty-foot diameter Pavilion. Another is the Carousel, which has a zebra, a tiger, 2 chariots, and thirty moving horses.
When visiting Lafreniere Park, the smoke-free Holiday Inn Metairie New Orleans Airport Hotel is conveniently located for easy access to the park or other nearby attractions in Jefferson Parish. The hotel provides all the services needed for a business trip, a quick weekend getaway, or an extended vacation. Some amenities are complimentary Wi-Fi, room service or on-site grill, Kids Eat Free Program, outdoor pool, fitness center, in-room refrigerator and coffee makers, 32-inch HD TVs and microwaves, lounge, guest laundry, business center, meeting space, gift shop, and complimentary airport shuttle.
Paid for with a 5-million dollar bond issue, and a matching federal grant, the project was well designed and planned. It created a beautiful, green area at which its citizens could relax and play. Construction began in 1977, and it was dedicated about five years later. Some parts of the original plan were never built, but the finished project affords an opportunity for its visitors to enjoy active and passive recreation.
The meadow area, complete with trees and hills, is often a gathering place for large groups, such as the celebration on Independence Day. Visitors can hold picnics at shelters scattered around the area, most complete with power and water. Some of the public shelters can be reserved through the office for special occasions.
Man-made water designs enhance the beauty of Lafreniere Park. The waterfall and the 20-acre lagoon, which meanders through the park, are some examples. The entire park is a bird sanctuary, but Marsh Island, particularly, is where people go to see and feed swans, ducks, and geese. It also provides lessons in plant and other animal life native to the state. They can also spend time at the lovely gazebo on the elevated walkway.
There is a memorial garden in honor of children who have lost their lives. It is a formal garden, modeled after symmetrical sites in France. Two other areas in the park are equipped with playground structures for young children. Designed to be ADA compliant, they are close to the carousel and to the park office.
Other recreational opportunities afforded by Lafreniere are a Frisbee golf course, soccer and softball fields, and the two-mile Health Trac. Special gatherings can be held at the Foundation Center, or the eighty-foot diameter Pavilion. Another is the Carousel, which has a zebra, a tiger, 2 chariots, and thirty moving horses.
When visiting Lafreniere Park, the smoke-free Holiday Inn Metairie New Orleans Airport Hotel is conveniently located for easy access to the park or other nearby attractions in Jefferson Parish. The hotel provides all the services needed for a business trip, a quick weekend getaway, or an extended vacation. Some amenities are complimentary Wi-Fi, room service or on-site grill, Kids Eat Free Program, outdoor pool, fitness center, in-room refrigerator and coffee makers, 32-inch HD TVs and microwaves, lounge, guest laundry, business center, meeting space, gift shop, and complimentary airport shuttle.
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