Park Projects

Boardwalks in the Barataria Preserve were damaged by fallen trees, branches, and flooding from Hurricane Ida.

NPS

Park Repairs, Improvements

The team at both Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve and New Orleans Jazz National Historical Park are busier than ever with several projects across all our park sites. These projects are will have long-term lasting impacts for our natural and cultural resources and greatly improve visitor experience, enjoyment, and engagement with these resources. The projects are supported from several different sources of funding.

 

Who can I contact if have further questions or concerns regarding these projects?

Contact the park Superintendents’ Office.

 

Investing in Our Future - Park Projects by Site

French Quarter

The park is currently in the design phase for a new ground-floor visitor center at 419 Decatur Street to accommodate  visitor engagement and interpretive functions for both Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve and New Orleans Jazz National Historical Park into a single space. Demolition and construction are expected to begin in Spring 2026.

Our museum collections were relocated from New Orleans to the Cane River Creole National Historical Park curatorial facility in Natchitoches, LA. This effort will minimize future threats to the collection by severe weather.  

Barataria Preserve

The reclamation of seven oil and gas well sites is completed. This work entailed the removal of surface equipment and cutting the wells below the surface at the mudline. These wells were originally plugged and abandoned in the 1960s, before the creation of the Preserve and the establishment of the park.

In conjunction with the Army Corps of Engineers, we removed a shell plug located at the confluence of Bayou aux Carpes and Bayou Barataria and 12.5 miles of canal channels in order to improve water flow and improve environmental conditions. Monitoring of the results of this project continues.

We built a breakwater to protect part of the Preserve’s Lake Salvador shoreline. Restoration and monitoring the submerged aquatic vegetation habitat continues.

Work is ongoing to repair and improve some of the boardwalks and trails damaged during Hurricane Ida in 2021. These changes will make the area safer, better prepared for future storm events, and will provide greater accessibility to trails, making them open and available for everyone.This project began in May 2022; the pre-design phase was completed in July 2023, and the schematic design phase in August 2023. Here’s what’s planned:

• Rebuild 1.32 miles of boardwalks and trails using strong composite materials to withstand future storm events, add safety railings, and raise the boardwalk 1.5 to 2 feet higher to prevent flooding. This includes the Education Center, Bayou Coquille, and Marsh Overlook Trails.
• Remove 2.07 miles of damaged trails and boardwalks that flood often, including the Visitor Center and Palmetto Trails, to natural wetlands.
• Keep and maintain 0.23 miles of the Ring Levee boardwalk.

This plan comes from the 2024 Environmental Assessment and was chosen as the preferred alternative. These improvements are more efficient for future repair and maintenance and make best use of public funds. By improving the trails now, the Park can:

• Keep more trails open and available
• Lower future repair and maintenance costs
• Create a better and more dependable experience for all visitors

Phased construction is expected to start in Winter/Spring 2026. For the current status of our trails please visit here: Alerts & Conditions - Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve (U.S. National Park Service) (nps.gov).

We are consolidating and relocating park administrative and visitor services functions to better utilize existing facilities on higher ground and reduce our park’s infrastructure footprint. These efforts began in May 2022. The Jones Point site will be restored to natural conditions. Phased construction is expected to begin in Winter 2026. In January 2027, the Preserve’s Visitor Center will move to the Education Center. This move will help visitors connect more directly with the trails and nature. The old Visitor Center building will be repurposed for administrative use.

These updates will provide new ways to explore and enjoy the beauty of southern Louisiana’s wetlands. They also help make the best use of public funds for years to come.

Chalmette Battlefield 

We are actively planning repairs and rehabilitation of the Malus-Beauregard House. Built in 1832-33, the building is currently a safety hazard to both employees and visitors. We ask visitors stay behind the barricades and do not approach the building. 

We are also collaborating with the National Park Service’s Historic Preservation Training Center to rehabilitate the Chalmette Monument. Currently, we are in the design phase, developing plans that will guide future repair work. The project will focus on several key areas, including work on the masonry and windows as well as improvements to the door, stairwell, and landing. 

Chalmette National Cemetery 

Planning efforts are underway to repair aging infrastructure vital to stormwater removal and replacement of illegible headstones began in May 2022. Phased construction will begin in Fall 2027. In preparation for this project a team conducted a geospatial survey and full inventory of every grave marker. This survey mapped, inventoried, and described the condition of each grave marker. The exact location of the markers will be recorded using a GPS with sub-meter accuracy. Each marker was photographed, and all inscriptions recorded. A database will be created to allow park staff to track conditions and treatments of each marker based on its location in the cemetery and assist with research questions and requests for information.

For the current status of our trails, please visit our Alerts & Conditions webpage.

Prairie Acadian Cultural Center 

There are no ongoing projects at the Prairie Acadian Cultural Center.