Metairie Park

This park is awesome. I'm so glad that it remained open during lockdown. I was able to leave my house and workout here. There's lots of space and it never felt crowded, even when it was peak workout time for park patrons. I also love the track that goes all the way around the park. It's nearly a mile, so it's easy to get my 3 miles in.

This is known as Wally Pontiff Playground now. It is very nice and very quiet compared to Lafreniere Park.There's a long jogging track, not sure of the exact length, but bikes are not allowed on it so no threat of getting run over.There are also two kid's areas. We prefer the one closest to the entrance. It has 6 bucket swings for the toddlers and it's well-shaded. It also has two full size "recliner" swings for parents to relax. There is a slide set also.The other kid's area is by the baseball fields. It has swings and slides but not as much shade. Still fun though.The bathrooms are not always open. Some are but some aren't. Just be prepared.I see a concession stand advertised but have yet to find it. Maybe it's in the gym?I really like this park compared to Lafreniere, it's so much nicer and quieter, only thing is, there are no ducks to feed.

This is a nice quiet park in Old Metairie that is also known as Pontiff Playground. The park has two decent size playgrounds with good shade. On the perimeter of the park there's a walking-running track.

While the sign may say Walley Pontiff Jr. Playground it will always be Metairie Playground to me.As a kid my grammar school used to have Track & Field Day here. Now as an adult I live nearby and I use the jogging path several times a week. The path is kept up rather well and most of it well light for those late evening runs. Other than the path there's a couple of playground facilities for kids, picnic shelter areas, and several football/baseball areas as well as a track area in the middle. There's also a large, newer looking building which I assume has basketball courts but I haven't been in there.My only complaint is that the park opens at 7:45 am (and closes at 9:45 pm). It would be really nice if the park opened earlier so people coule use the track before work, but it's a minor inconvenience.

So since the last time I took my little one here things have improved a lot. the playground area is actually fixed. Also there is a running trail a little hill to run on as well, and swings and covered eating areas.I wish the playground area was a bit larger cause my kids likes to run around from one to the other so City Park's play area works better for her, but all in all it's great.

This historically was called Metairie Playground until it was unfortunately changed to Pontiff Playground thus "de-neighborhoodizing" it. The JPRD playgrounds were mostly named after the neighborhoods they served, like Lakeshore, Jefferson, Airline Park etc. It's a shame some of the names have been changed over the years. Regardless I love this playground. I remember playing here in the JPRD all star baseball tournament when I was a kid and both of my girls played here as well. It's a great playground, maybe the most beautiful of the JPRD, chock full of beautiful trees. The addition of a new gym, running path, and the planting of hundreds of new trees after Katrina has made it even better. It has great shelters for picnics too! And there are 2 sets of clean restrooms so if you're on a long run.....