City of Harahan Breaks Ground on New Inclusive Playground at Park of Heroes
- Website Manager
- Jul 29
- 4 min read
The multigenerational playground spans nearly 9,000 square feet and features several inclusive and interactive play elements for children and adults of all abilities
The playground, located at 6601 10th St, Harahan, LA, is expected to be completed in fall 2026
HARAHAN, LA – The City of Harahan, in partnership with Pelican Playgrounds, today broke ground on an inclusive and multigenerational playground at Park of Heroes. The nearly 9,000 square foot playground is the latest addition to a growing hub of inclusive play spaces in Jefferson Parish, further cementing the parish as a leader in outdoor recreation in Louisiana.
"Eight years ago, I campaigned on a vision to build the most inclusive playground Harahan had ever seen. I'm proud to see that vision become reality," said Councilman Jason Asbill. "This project reflects years of planning, partnerships, and perseverance, and demonstrates what can be accomplished when a community remains committed to a shared goal."
Park of Heroes Playground will accommodate more than 136 users at a time and is
designed for children and adults to enjoy. The final design was reviewed and certified by Let Kids Play, a national inclusive play design consultancy, for meeting high inclusion standards, including a mix of sensory, physical, and social activities, multiple levels of challenge, and synthetic turf surfacing for full accessibility to the playground's most popular features. The playground will also be fully fenced.
Harahan is already home to Royland Playground, an inclusive, community-built play space installed by Pelican Playgrounds and local volunteers in 2025. It features a Sona Interactive Dance and Play Arch, which invites children and adults to move, dance, and compete in fun, inclusive games. The Kenner Planetarium and Space Science Complex also has a Luna Interactive Play Spot, which uses sensor technology to create interactive games. Park of Heroes Playground joins that growing list, giving local families another inclusive play space to enjoy.
"An inclusive playground is about more than wheelchair-accessible ramps and surfacing
– it's about creating a joyful space where kids of all abilities can play side-by-side," said
Lauren Knight, owner of Pelican Playgrounds. "For the second year in a row, the City of
Harahan is showing their commitment to being an inclusive community through this new
playground."
Funding for Park of Heroes Playground came from state appropriations and in-kind
contributions from Chatelain Services, LLC, Wood Resources, LLC, and the Harahan Athletic Association. The equipment and installation services were purchased through Louisiana's state purchasing contract, administered by the Office of State Procurement.
"Supporting Harahan's vision for an inclusive playground was an easy decision because it's exactly the kind of project state partnerships should help make possible," said State
Representative John Illg, who advocated for state-level funding for the playground. "This investment will benefit families for generations to come."
Park of Heroes Playground will include numerous inclusive and exciting play pieces:
Mighty Descent slide: A towering 8-foot-tall slide that can accommodate multiple children and adults at a time.
The Memo: An interactive outdoor learning play piece built around seven freestanding, touchscreen-equipped pillars that blend movement with dozens of educational games.
Accessible Whirl: Enables two wheelchair users to spin alongside their friends.
Aeroglider: Allows a child to roll on in their wheelchair and glide back and forth with the group.
Cozy Cocoons: Sensory retreat spaces where kids can regroup and recharge before
rejoining the play.
Accessible See-Saw: Built for easy transfers, letting kids of all abilities ride together.
Custom tank-themed climbing structure: A one-of-a-kind military tank climber by Cre8Play in homage to Park of Heroes' history and significance as a memorial to Harahan service members
Six-seat swing set with two accessible seats
Integrated shade coverings
Playground turf safety surfacing throughout the entire playground
Wide, wheelchair-accessible ramps will connect the play decks. The park will also include a dedicated open play area for games alongside a shaded pavilion for families to gather.
"Today is about more than building a playground; it is about strengthening a community where every family has the opportunity to play, build friendships, and create lasting memories. I am proud to have been part of the team that helped turn this vision into a reality," said Mayor Tim Baudier. "Our city has recently faced significant challenges, including Hurricane Ida and the COVID-19 pandemic. Through it all, we never lost sight of our commitment to rebuild and improve Harahan’s playgrounds, making them more inclusive and welcoming for all children and families. This is an extraordinary day for the City of Harahan and a meaningful accomplishment that our entire community can celebrate with pride."
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Media Contacts:
Emma Knight Markrich
Media Relations, Pelican Playgrounds
202-600-5148
Lauren Knight
President/Owner, Pelican Playgrounds
504-909-6544
Carrie Heustis
City of Harahan
504-737-6383
About Pelican Playgrounds
Pelican Playgrounds is a recreation design and construction company on a mission to build joy in Louisiana and Mississippi. We design and build the highest quality recreation, athletic, and wellness facilities in our region for schools, municipalities, churches, housing associations, and more. We help our clients manage their entire recreation project from start to finish with the utmost attention to customer service, design excellence, safety, and the latest innovations in outdoor recreation and playground equipment. We are a proudly family-owned business headquartered in New Orleans, Louisiana.
About the City of Harahan
The City of Harahan is a family-oriented community located in Jefferson Parish along the
Mississippi River, just outside of New Orleans. Known as “The City of Friendship,” Harahan blends small-town charm with access to the cultural and economic opportunities of the greater New Orleans region. The city is committed to enhancing quality of life for residents through strong civic engagement, safe neighborhoods, and investments in parks, recreation, and public services.
