Audubon unveils new phase of riverfront park | New Orleans CityBusiness

Audubon Nature Institute is nearing completion of a new phase of Goldring Woldenberg Riverfront Park, a project that will soon deliver uninterrupted public access along nearly 2¼ miles of the Mississippi River in downtown New Orleans.

Set to open this spring, the latest segment transforms a former warehouse at the Governor Nicholls Street Wharf into a landscaped public green space featuring riverfront seating, shade trees and a marsh-themed playground inspired by Louisiana’s coastal environment, according to the institute.

The expansion is significant because it will, for the first time in generations, connect Spanish Plaza to Crescent Park with continuous riverfront access, creating one of the longest contiguous urban riverfront parks in the United States.

Audubon Nature Institute said the new park area is designed to encourage both recreation and relaxation. Amenities include play structures shaped like native wildlife such as turtles, alligators and fish, misting features that provide cooling effects, and a mix of swinging and stationary benches oriented toward the river. Hammock stations and shaded seating areas are also included to accommodate families and caregivers.

“The Mississippi riverfront is the front porch of our city — an open, welcoming place for both residents and visitors,” said Michael J. Sawaya, CEO of Audubon Nature Institute and L. Ronald Forman Chair in Conservation Leadership. “From the city’s earliest days, the river has shaped New Orleans’ history. This new linear park and space invites visitors to experience the rhythm of the river, connect with nature, and gather with friends and family, creating a shared space that links neighborhoods and celebrates our culture.”

The entire corridor is named Goldring Woldenberg Riverfront Park in recognition of the Goldring Family and the Woldenberg Foundations, whose philanthropic support has played a central role in redeveloping the downtown riverfront into a network of green spaces and cultural destinations.

Audubon Nature Institute said the current phase is scheduled to open in time for the French Quarter Festival in April 2026, a major tourism draw for the city. The original section of the park, adjacent to the Audubon Aquarium, opened in 1989.

Looking ahead, the institute plans to begin the next phase later this year, which will include demolition of the warehouse at the Esplanade Wharf and additional planning for future riverfront improvements.