NEW ORLEANS — The City of New Orleans will celebrate the groundbreaking of the St. Bernard Neighborhood Campus and Willie Hall Playground on Wednesday, November 12. Led by the Office of Resilience & Sustainability, this transformative project will revitalize a historically significant community space while advancing New Orleans’ vision for flood resilience, sustainability, and equitable neighborhood investment.
Event: Groundbreaking Ceremony
Date: Wednesday, November 12
Time: 10 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Location: Willie Hall Playground at McDonogh 35 College Preparatory High School
Address: 4000 Roneagle Way, New Orleans, LA
Located between Harrison Avenue and I-610, and between St. Bernard Avenue and Bayou St. John, the three-phase project represents a $32.4 million investment, supported by the HUD National Disaster Resilience (NDR) Program ($24.4 million) and FEMA’s Joint Infrastructure Recovery Request Program ($8 million).
The HUD-funded Phase I of the project will begin with construction of an underground stormwater detention system capable of storing up to five million gallons of water—the largest of its kind in the American South. Built beneath new athletic fields, this innovative infrastructure will significantly reduce neighborhood flooding and improve local drainage capacity.
The Willie Hall Playground has long held a special place in the St. Bernard neighborhood, serving for decades as a hub for youth sports and mentorship before Hurricane Katrina. Its restoration fulfills a long-standing community goal to reconnect residents through recreation, green space, and flood-safe design.
About the Gentilly Resilience District
The Gentilly Resilience District integrates flood risk reduction, green infrastructure, and community revitalization across Gentilly. Projects like the St. Bernard Neighborhood Campus demonstrate how New Orleans is transforming its relationship with water while enhancing neighborhood livability and equity.
Phase I Project Features Include:
- Regulation Track & Field Facilities
- Football/Soccer and Baseball/Softball Fields
- Basketball Court
- Sports Lighting and Bleachers
Future phases will include:
- Walking and Fitness Trails
- Outdoor Classroom, Trees, and Event Lawn
- Kayak Launch and Boardwalk
- Playground and Shade Structures
- Multi-Purpose Recreational Building with restrooms, concessions counter, and community space
- Green Infrastructure Enhancements—rain gardens, improved drainage, and FEMA-funded roadway repairs tied into stormwater systems
For more information, visit nola.gov/resilience-sustainability/Gentilly-resilience-district or follow @resilientNOLA on social media.