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New Orleans, Orleans Parish / Parks and outdoors

Crescent Park

A stunning 1.4-mile linear oasis along the Mississippi River, Crescent Park blends indigenous landscaping with industrial remnants to reconnect the city with its historic riverfront.

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Crescent Park
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What is Crescent Park known for?

Crescent Park is a 1.4-mile linear park along the Mississippi River in New Orleans, designed to reconnect people with the riverfront by repurposing industrial and maritime remnants into a public landscape.

Is it free?

Yes, admission to Crescent Park is free and it is open to the public.

What are the hours?

The park is open daily from sunrise to sunset.

What activities can I do there?

The park features a network of paths suitable for walking, jogging, and biking, as well as picnic areas and a dog park.

Where is the main entrance located?

The main entrance is near the foot of Esplanade Avenue and is marked by a footbridge with an elevator that crosses over the railroad tracks.

What should I check before going?

Use Gyde for context, then check official sources for current hours, tickets, construction, and closures.

What to know

Crescent Park is a 20-acre linear park that wraps along the outside curve of the famous crescent bend of the Mississippi River. Completed in 2014, the space was designed to reconnect the people of New Orleans with the water by transforming surplus Port of New Orleans wharves and derelict railroad sidings into a verdant public landscape. This transformation included the creation of a wharf apron and an at-grade flood gate opening. Visitors can explore a network of paths suitable for walking, jogging, and biking, all surrounded by indigenous landscaping. The park is not just a green space but a gallery of architectural interest. At Piety Wharf, a former warehouse location, guests can find the Rusty Rainbow, a steeply arched span designed by the noted architect David Adjaye that serves as a massive sculpture for contemplation. Beyond its paths, the park offers dedicated picnic areas and a dog park for community use. The Mandeville Shed provides a versatile venue within the park, hosting various public events and private rentals. This project represents the first phase of the broader Reinventing the Crescent master plan, aiming to repurpose maritime remnants into a community asset. Access to the park is straightforward, with a main entrance located near the foot of Esplanade Avenue. This entry point is easily identified by a boxy footbridge, equipped with an elevator, which allows visitors to safely cross over the active railroad tracks to enter the greenery.

Visitor tips

  • Enter via the footbridge at the foot of Esplanade Avenue to cross the railroad tracks safely.
  • Visit between sunrise and sunset, as the park is only open during daylight hours.
  • Bring a camera to capture the Rusty Rainbow span at Piety Wharf.
  • Wear comfortable walking shoes to fully explore the 1.4-mile length of the park.

Nearby context

Crescent Park serves as a vital green lung for the riverfront, situated along the Mississippi River's bend. Its proximity to Esplanade Avenue connects the urban grid of New Orleans to the natural flow of the waterway.

Sources

Evidence and links