Wally Pontiff Jr. Playground, formerly Metairie Playground, is a

Jefferson Parish Jefferson may refer to: Names * Jefferson (surname) * Jefferson (given name) People * Thomas Jefferson (1743–1826), third president of the United States * Jefferson (footballer, born 1970), full name Jefferson Tomaz de Souza, Brazilian foot ...

public playground located at 1521 Palm Street in

Metairie, Louisiana Metairie ( ) is a census-designated place (CDP) in Jefferson Parish, Louisiana, United States, and is part of the New Orleans metropolitan area. With a population of 143,507 in 2020, Metairie is the largest community in Jefferson Parish and was (a ...

. It is Jefferson Parish's oldest public playground.

Sports

Baseball

The playground offers multiple baseball fields for team and recreational use.

Basketball/Volleyball

The gymnasium is used for basketball games, volleyball games and other recreational uses.

Cross country

The Pontiff Playground cross country course is a 3-mile/4.83 km cross country course in and around Pontiff Playground.

Football/Soccer

The playground has two football/soccer fields for team and recreational use. The playground was the home football venue for the Metairie High School Yellowjackets from 1952 to 1954. The largest crowds were standing room only against Kenner High School in 1952 and against Behrman High School in 1954.

Softball

The playground offers multiple softball fields for team and recreational use.

Tennis

Tennis is played at the Pontiff Playground tennis courts.

Track and field

A running track used for track and field meets is located in the playground.

Playground amenities

The playground contains six baseball diamonds, two football fields, one track, two tennis courts, and a gymnasium. In addition to these sports facilities a spray fountain, meditation labyrinth, meeting center, picnic shelters, playground equipment, dog park and bird sanctuary are located in the facility.

History

Origins

Development of Metairie Playground began in 1945, following the end of World War II and during a time of civic progress in Jefferson Parish. The playground was dedicated in 1952. The playground was renamed on June 28, 2003, in memory of Wally Pontiff, Jr., who played college baseball for

Louisiana State University Louisiana State University (officially Louisiana State University and Agricultural and Mechanical College, commonly referred to as LSU) is a public land-grant research university in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. The university was founded in 1860 nea ...

. Pontiff played baseball in his youth at Metairie playground. Before an unexpected death at the age of 21, Pontiff was deciding whether to continue his career at LSU or to play for the

Oakland Athletics The Oakland Athletics (often referred to as the A's) are an American professional baseball team based in Oakland, California. The Athletics compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) West division. The te ...

after being drafted in the 21st round.

Effects of Hurricane Katrina

Pontiff Playground was flooded in August 2005 during

Hurricane Katrina Hurricane Katrina was a destructive Category 5 Atlantic hurricane that caused over 1,800 fatalities and $125 billion in damage in late August 2005, especially in the city of New Orleans and the surrounding areas. It was at the time the cost ...

, which ruined the gymnasium. After the storm, Jefferson Parish built an earthen berm around it to hold water in future emergencies.

Development Timeline

References

External links

Official website
American football venues in Louisiana Athletics (track and field) venues in Louisiana Baseball venues in Louisiana Basketball venues in Louisiana Cross country running courses in Louisiana Soccer venues in Louisiana Softball venues in Louisiana Tennis venues in Louisiana Volleyball venues in Louisiana High school football venues in Louisiana Parks in Louisiana Tourist attractions in Jefferson Parish, Louisiana Sports venues completed in 1952 1952 establishments in Louisiana Buildings and structures in Metairie, Louisiana Sports in Jefferson Parish, Louisiana {{Louisiana-geo-stub