Audubon Nature Institute is nearing completion of a brand new part of Goldring Woldenberg Riverfront Park, a mission that can quickly ship uninterrupted public entry alongside practically 2¼ miles of the Mississippi River in downtown New Orleans.

Set to open this spring, the newest phase transforms a former warehouse on the Governor Nicholls Road Wharf right into a landscaped public inexperienced area that includes riverfront seating, shade bushes and a marsh-themed playground impressed by Louisiana’s coastal setting, in keeping with the institute.

The growth is important as a result of it would, for the primary time in generations, join Spanish Plaza to Crescent Park with steady riverfront entry, creating one of many longest contiguous city riverfront parks in the US.

Audubon Nature Institute mentioned the brand new park space is designed to encourage each recreation and rest. Facilities embrace play constructions formed like native wildlife resembling turtles, alligators and fish, misting options that present cooling results, and a mixture of swinging and stationary benches oriented towards the river. Hammock stations and shaded seating areas are additionally included to accommodate households and caregivers.

“The Mississippi riverfront is the entrance porch of our metropolis — an open, welcoming place for each residents and guests,” mentioned Michael J. Sawaya, CEO of Audubon Nature Institute and L. Ronald Forman Chair in Conservation Management. “From the town’s earliest days, the river has formed New Orleans’ historical past. This new linear park and area invitations guests to expertise the rhythm of the river, join with nature, and collect with family and friends, making a shared area that hyperlinks neighborhoods and celebrates our tradition.”

The whole hall is called Goldring Woldenberg Riverfront Park in recognition of the Goldring Household and the Woldenberg Foundations, whose philanthropic help has performed a central position in redeveloping the downtown riverfront right into a community of inexperienced areas and cultural locations.

Audubon Nature Institute mentioned the present part is scheduled to open in time for the French Quarter Pageant in April 2026, a significant tourism draw for the town. The unique part of the park, adjoining to the Audubon Aquarium, opened in 1989.

Trying forward, the institute plans to start the subsequent part later this yr, which is able to embrace demolition of the warehouse on the Esplanade Wharf and extra planning for future riverfront enhancements.