Today (Monday, June 15), Mayor LaToya Cantrell joined NORD and other officials to celebrate the opening of the $546,000 McCue Playground clubhouse in the St. Roch neighborhood. The playground has new concessions, restrooms and other amenities.
“We are continuing our commitment to rebuilding our infrastructure, both across NORD facilities and throughout District D,” said Mayor Cantrell.
The new 1,000 square-foot building features a storage facility, concessions/food prep/food-warming area, refrigerator and ice maker, an office, and Americans with Disabilities Act-compliant restrooms.
“Prior to 2005, McCue was a passive park, providing only green space, and play structures for recreation. Immediately after Katrina the park was converted into a FEMA trailer site used to house returning residents. After FEMA restored it, we began offering sports programs for the youth in the community,” said NORD CEO Larry Barabino, Jr. “Today’s ribbon cutting is a testimony to our city’s resiliency and commitment to improving community, recreation, and the future – our young people.”
Currently, McCue registers 200 youth and teens across four athletic programs that include football, basketball, baseball and track & field.
As the City celebrates Phase 2 reopening for NORD includes:
- The start of summer youth and teen career camps – today, Monday, June 15, at sites across the city of New Orleans
- Reopening outdoor pools in July and expanding indoor aquatics programming;
- All indoor pools are now open by appointment only (visit nordc.org to schedule)
- Phased reopening of our rentals department
- Outdoor programming
- And reopening play structures, such as McCue
Director of Capital Projects Vincent Smith said the City’s investment in City facilities and parks in District D totals $50 million to date.
Completed projects in District D include:
- Hunters Field Phase III Addition – $1.8 million
- Harden Playground (New Restroom/Concessions Building) – $743,500
- Bunny Friend Restroom/Concession Building Renovations – $198,000
- Nora Navra Library – $3.8 million
- Joe Bartholomew Golf Course/Pontchartrain Park Walking Path – $630,438
Upcoming District D projects include the Desire/Florida Community Center, a $6.5 million that is expected to break ground in Fall 2020 and a planned project to bring $500,000 in improvement to Perry Roehm Park Improvements. Work there is also expected to start in Fall 2020.
