Parks & Squares

Thousands of visitors and hundreds of thousands of residents know and enjoy New Orleans' distinctive green spaces, which include Jackson Square, Washington Square, Mississippi River Heritage Park, Brechtel Park, and Armstrong Park, and trees including the famous oaks lining major boulevards like Saint Charles Avenue.

Explore individual parks maintained by Parks and Parkways by following link on the left, or read below for frequently asked questions about New Orleans' parks and other green spaces.

 

Other parks in the city are overseen by the New Orleans Recreation Development Commission (NORD), City Park, the Audubon Institute and the Municipal Yacht Harbor.

Hours vary across the different public parks and spaces managed by Parks & Parkways. Popular sites include:

Jackson Square

  • 8am-6pm winter, 8am-7pm daylight savings

Washington Square

  • 8am-6pm winter, 8am-7pm daylight savings

Mississippi River Heritage Park

  • 8:15am-5:45pm winter, 8:15am-6:45pm daylight savings

Armstrong Park & Congo Square

  • 8am-6pm daily

Brechtel Park

  • 8am-5pm winter, 8am-6pm daylight savings

Parks and Parkway parks are available to host to festivals, weddings, filmings, corporate events and private events such as reunions or filming. or picnics.  Events hosted by each park vary. 

Most parks are available for rental for weddings, filming, private events such as reunions and corporate events but it does vary by park. Click here for full information on park or square rental, including fee schedule, necessary permits and supporting documents, and more.

Yes, formal photography session are allowed in the parks, but permits and rental fees apply in major parks.  To see the specifics on applying to do a formal photography session in a park or square, please click here.

Jackson Square is only available for weddings, formal photography sessions and filming.  Please click here for specifics about rental fees and regulations.

The majority of parks under the jurisdiction of the New Orleans Recreation Development Commission have playgrounds.  Those with playgrounds under the jurisdiction of Parks and Parkways are Palmer Park, and Brechtel Park.

If you need to report and issue with a park under the jurisdiction of Parks and Parkways you may reach us by phone at (504) 658-3200 or by email at parksandparkways@nola.gov.

Parks and Parkways will also respond to grounds maintenance issues at parks governed by the New Orleans Recreation Development Commission.  All other issues should be reported directly to the Commission.

 

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