GARED continued its mission as an advocate for play in local communities at the grand opening of Lemann Park in New Orleans in September, as a part of the National Recreation and Park Association's latest Parks Build project. The community initiative transformed an empty field located on the historic Lafitte Greenway into a dynamic play environment for the city of New Orleans. GARED was proud to partner with NRPA on this project, donating gooseneck basketball systems, bleachers, and benches to the park.

NRPA and the park and recreation professionals of New Orleans, a city still on the mend after Hurricane Katrina, worked with the Faubourg Tremé Parish to provide a much-needed safe place for families to gather and for children to play. The initiative demonstrates the importance of public parks and their transformative power to meet the needs of local communities. Hats off to all the volunteers and their hard work on this amazing project!