GNO, Inc. Sunday Night Highlight – Jefferson Parish Spotlights Parks and Partnership
Stretching from the south shore of Lake Pontchartrain all the way to the Gulf of Mexico, Jefferson Parish is the largest parish by population in the Greater New Orleans region, and recently celebrated its 200th birthday.
At this week’s State of Jefferson address, Parish President Cynthia Lee Sheng outlined a new vision for turning Jefferson into a year-round sports destination. From turf fields and tennis courts to powerboat races and disc golf, major investments are underway to attract national tournaments, fill hotel rooms, and drive regional spending. These include:
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The new John Alario Jr. Sports Complex, opening in 2026, which already has more than 30 events booked, from baseball and softball to football showcases that will bring thousands of athletes and families to the West Bank during the summer months
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In Marrero, Parc des Familles will host the Disc Golf Pro Tour Big Easy Classic next March, a nationally streamed event expected to draw thousands of spectators
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Bright Playground is adding nine new courts as part of the Recreation Reimagined plan, positioning Jefferson to host state and regional tennis tournaments
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Lafreniere Park continues to anchor the parish’s running and walking events, now including the new Park to Park 10K connecting LaSalle and Lafreniere
Collectively, these projects are expected to generate nearly 20,000 hotel room nights in 2026. Sheng noted that Jefferson’s growing sports tourism sector is also a regional asset, pairing the parish’s family-friendly venues with Greater New Orleans’ cultural attractions to create a uniquely balanced visitor experience. “Few destinations can offer that kind of variety in such a short distance,” she said.
A key theme in the address from both Sheng and Council Chairman Scott Walker was enthusiasm about working with New Orleans Mayor-Elect Helena Moreno to advance shared regional goals, from sports tourism and infrastructure to emergency management and permitting innovation.
You can read more about the address here.
You can view the State of Jefferson address here.