the new crescent park along industrial waterfront celebrates new orleans history

crescent park, designed by eskew+dumez+ripple and hargreaves associates, is the newest public green space in the city of new orleans and a celebration of the city’s history and its relationship to the mississippi river. this 1.4 linear-mile green space repurposes a maritime/industrial brownfield into a 20-acre public amenity providing a network of paths suitable for walking, jogging, and biking; picnic areas, a dog park, and the adaptive reuse of two industrial wharves for programmed events and recreational activities.

images by timothy hursley

the new orleans project was a collaboration between eskew+dumez+ripple as executive architect and hargreaves associates as landscape architect and lead designer. the park is a delicate balance of old and new — rather than eradicate the history of the site, the design team chose to celebrate and build upon it without compromising the allure and poetic ruin of post-industrialization decay and flood infrastructure that ultimately characterizes this part of the city. inscribed lines of the defunct railroad tracks are the foundation of all the pathways in the park.

crescent park grants physical and visual access to the river, creating an environment for locals and visitors to interact and enjoy the essence of new orleans. this 1.4-mile linear park includes 20 acres of native landscaping, bike paths, playgrounds, a dog run, and the adaptive reuse of two industrial wharfs. employing alternative energy resources and a simple economic model, the park will be both energy self-reliant and financially self-sufficient.

the project was sparked by hurricane katrina as an unprecedented opportunity to reevaluate a languishing stretch of waterfront. the park supplements new orleans’ unique character, unusual street grid, and historic architecture with visionary yet practical and contemporary sustainable design. as the first new riverfront park in new orleans in 30 years, crescent park is a response to the need for the city to reclaim its sense of place and origin — a return to the river.