Lafreniere Park facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Lafreniere Park |
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| Location | Metairie, Louisiana |
| Area | 155 acres (0.242 sq mi) |
Lafreniere Park is the biggest park in Metairie, Louisiana. It's a super cool place for everyone to enjoy! Local residents living near the park help pay for it. A small amount is added to their water bill each month to keep the park looking great.
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Park History
The land where Lafreniere Park now sits has a long history. Way back, a man named Nicolas Chauvin de la Frenière (senior) received a huge piece of land. It was about 5,000 acres, which is like 20 square kilometers! He got this land from Jean-Baptiste Le Moyne, Sieur de Bienville, a famous explorer. Nicolas used this land to start a family farm.
Later, the land went to his son, Nicolas Chauvin de Lafreniere, Jr. He became the top lawyer for Louisiana, known as the Attorney General. In 1768, he led a protest against the Spanish rulers. Sadly, he was executed for his part in this protest in 1769. The land was then taken by Alejandro O'Reilly.
Years later, a horse racing track called Jefferson Downs Racetrack was built on part of this land. It was a popular spot until 1965, when Hurricane Betsy caused a lot of damage. The racetrack was then rebuilt somewhere else. This left the old site empty. That's when people got the idea to turn it into a park for Jefferson Parish. Building the park started in 1977. It was mostly finished and officially opened in 1982.
Amazing Wildlife
Lafreniere Park is home to lots of different animals. You can see many kinds of birds, squirrels, turtles, rabbits, raccoons, opossums, and even coypu (also called Nutria).
Some common birds you might spot include White Ibis, different types of Geese (Canadian, African, and Chinese), Black Swans, Black-bellied Whistling Ducks, and Great Egrets. These birds are often easy to photograph from about 20 to 30 feet away. One part of the park has a marshland area. There's a wooden walkway that goes through it. This lets you get a closer look at the animals living there.
Park Layout
The park has two big playgrounds. They are fenced in, making them safe places for younger kids to play. There are also benches and covered tables for parents to relax. You can also find a fun carousel in the park.
In the middle of the park is a man-made lake, called a lagoon. It has three islands. Pavilion Island is in the center and has a large covered area. Marsh Island is where many of the park's wild animals live, and it has a boardwalk. There are also large man-made hills in some areas, while other fields are open for activities like disc golf. The biggest hill is on the north side, near the concert area. Locals sometimes call it Coon Hill because many raccoons live in the park.
A two-mile track goes all the way around the park. It's perfect for walking and jogging. There are also three stretching areas along the track.
In the northeast part of the park, there's a 5-acre dog park. It has separate fenced areas for small dogs and large dogs. This way, all dogs can play safely.
Sports and Activities
Lafreniere Park has many fields for sports. There are five fields for soccer and two fields for baseball. You can also find softball fields and other multi-purpose fields. One side of the park has been turned into a frisbee golf course.
The park has hosted big events like the Allstate Sugar Bowl High School Lacrosse Classic. It has also been used for rugby and field hockey games. Many cross country races happen here too. The Loyola Wolf Pack cross country teams often have their home races in the park.
Lafreniere is a very popular place for joggers because of its two-mile walking track. This track is only for people walking or jogging. But the park also has space for skaters and bikers. There are many steps and concrete rails around the park. These spots are great for skateboarders. Large parking lots, which are usually empty, become skating areas for inline skaters (also known as roller skating). For bikers and light car traffic, there's a large road that goes around the inside of the walking track. It's kept smooth and level for easy riding.
Christmas in the Park
Every December, Lafreniere Park gets decorated with amazing light displays! You can walk through the park to see them, or you can pay a small fee to drive through. During this event, kids can enjoy craft activities near the Pavilion Island parking lots. Local school bands also perform on stage, adding to the festive mood.
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