NEW ORLEANS (WGNO) — New Orleans leaders came together on Tuesday, July 2, to unveil the first phase of the George Washington Carver Playground Improvement Project on Prytania Street in Uptown New Orleans.
City officials said the $770,000 project has completed its first phase, which includes upgrades and renovations to the playground’s concessions building, kitchen facilities and restrooms raised to DHH and Americans with Disabilities Act code standards.
Additionally, the former play equipment was replaced with a larger playground and interactive play equipment on a padded turf surface.
City leaders said new safety and accessibility upgrades were also implemented, including steel fencing at the Prytania entrance, new walkways and a net to separate the basketball court from the playground area.
Mayor LaToya Cantrell spoke positively of the project’s first phase completion, saying, “This project is for the members of this community, and we’re excited to deliver, once again, for the residents of the City of New Orleans. NORD has something for everyone, and this is a testament to how we are meeting our people where they are.”
According to the city, the funding came from State Capital Outlay dollars, backed by the support of State Representative Aimee Freeman and former State Representative Neil Abramson, as well as city bond funds.
“It’s been a passion of mine to get the playground, field and basketball court back up and running,” said Abramson. “It’s taken baby steps, but it’s fantastic and so it was a passion of mine to try to help the State, help the City.”
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