Some links on this page are affiliate links: if you buy through them we may earn a commission, at no extra cost to you.
Goldring Woldenberg Riverfront Park’s Governor Nicholls Wharf phase is a 6.3-acre public park and open-air pavilion built around part of a former industrial warehouse, not a wholesale replacement of the wharf. Designed by EskewDumezRipple with landscape architecture by Hargreaves Jones, it opened to the public on April 7, 2026. The project pairs reused industrial structure with lawns, a marsh-themed playground, riverfront promenades, and a covered performance venue called the NOLA Front Porch.
What is the Governor Nicholls Wharf project?
It is the 2026 addition to a larger named park along the Mississippi River in New Orleans. The distinction matters: Goldring Woldenberg Riverfront Park already included an older section beside the Audubon Aquarium, reported to have opened in 1989. Audubon calls that older section Phase I and the Governor Nicholls work Phase II; coverage of the two-wharf redevelopment sometimes calls Governor Nicholls the first phase because it starts counting with the wharves. The new construction is at Governor Nicholls Wharf, between the lower French Quarter, Faubourg Marigny, and the Bywater.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte Driver Updater FREEFix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Outbyte PC Repair FREERepair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →The project turns a former port landscape into public space while retaining a portion of its industrial fabric. EskewDumezRipple’s project description records 6.3 acres of park and a 13,545-square-foot covered pavilion. ArchDaily lists 287,973 square feet, which is the combined area of those figures—not a separate, larger park site.
That reuse follows a long change in the waterfront’s purpose. The wharf once served cargo moving among ships, rail lines, warehouses, and markets. The architect says it was underused by 2009; the Port of New Orleans approved its transfer to the city for conversion to park space in late 2017. A decommissioned plastics warehouse stood on a wharf supported by concrete piers extending into the Mississippi. The new park remains on that structure, so visitors are literally over the river.
Popular on Amazon
- Ergonomically Designed: Work in tight areas with a compact design that gets into tough spots
- Both tools are designed to fit into difficult to reach spaces
- Complete a wide range of applications with a high-performance motor that delivers up to 300 UWO, and an impact driver delivering up to 1,400 in-lbs of torque
- Both the DEWALT impact driver and drill driver feature integrated LED work lights with a convenient 20-second delay, ensuring enhanced visibility in dimly lit or challenging work areas
- One-Handed Loading - Keep one hand free with a 1/4 in. hex chuck that accepts 1 in. bit tips
How does the design reuse the warehouse?
The NOLA Front Porch preserves part of the former warehouse as an open-air pavilion. Instead of enclosing the structure again, the design removes portions of its lower walls and wraps the remaining steel frame in perforated metal mesh. The mesh filters daylight and glows at night, while the open sides allow air and views through the building. EskewDumezRipple describes the intervention as keeping the wharf’s industrial vocabulary while opening it to landscape and public use.
The roof collects rainwater for planting irrigation. It was also reinforced so hurricane winds can pass through the open structure rather than press against a solid wall. Beneath the elevated roof are movable wood-and-metal furnishings designed by Vestre; the furniture was specified to withstand strong winds. The venue has about 3,000 square feet of enclosed support space and is intended for performances, small markets, food and beverage service, and gatherings.
Landscape and structure work together. The project reuses parts of the wharf for decks, lawns, and public spaces rather than demolishing and rebuilding the platform. The deck is thickened where deeper soil is needed for more than 120 new trees and planting beds. Lighter promenades sit closer to the river, while heavier shade and trees are positioned above stronger supports. This is a practical response to building a planted public landscape on an elevated industrial structure.
What can visitors see and do in the park?
The visitor experience moves from active, urban spaces toward quieter areas for rest and habitat. A tree-lined river promenade, great lawn, marsh-inspired play grove, Esplanade plaza and gateway, habitat gardens, seating terraces, concessions, and overlooks form the project’s main elements. More than a third of a mile of river edge runs through the new section, with benches along the water.
Also popular on Amazon
- Valued Carpenter Pencil Set: You will get 2 pcs solid carpenter pencils with 26 piece 2.8 mm refills, 1 replaceable sharpener, 1 plastic storage box.The complete carpenter pencils combination allows you to finish your work faster and more easily
- Deep Hole Marker Pencil: The deep-hole construction pencils adopts 45mm elongated tip design, which is more convenient to mark in the small hole or in other tight areas that other carpenter markers cannot reach
- Carpenter Pencils with Sharpener: The sharpener is screwed into the top of the work pencil, which won't get lost either. Built-in pencil sharpener that keep the lead with pointed and smooth to Improves line of sight in fine work
- Stronger Solid Lead: This work pencil is matched with a 2.8 mm thick lead , which is much thicker and stronger during the drawing process of construction work, it will not break or damage easily
- Marks on Various Surfaces: 3 colors solid construction pencil can marks on various surfaces,such as metal, plastic, wood, paper etc. Ideals for woodworkers, contractors, craftsmen, builders, merchants and masons
The playground uses oversized bayou animals on resilient safety surfacing. Elsewhere, misters near planted mounds offer relief in hot weather; Hargreaves Jones principal Mary Margaret Jones called the feature a “fog fountain.” At the relaxation lawn, visitors can bring their own hammock and attach it to the provided poles. Hammocks are not supplied as part of the park’s design.
Planting draws on regional riparian and coastal ecosystems, with oaks, cypress, red maple, magnolia, grasses, perennials, and pollinator plants. The landscape is intended to provide shade and habitat along the Mississippi Flyway as well as a more comfortable public setting in New Orleans’ humid climate. Community meetings and online forums informed choices about active and quiet areas, circulation, performance locations, seating, and shade, according to the design firm.
Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
How much did the park cost, and what does it connect?
The Governor Nicholls project cost about $30 million, according to Audubon chief executive Michael Sawaya in Axios and later NOLA.com reporting. That was roughly double the original $15 million budget. The initial funding included $2 million from New Orleans & Co., $9 million from the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, and $4 million from Audubon; Sawaya said city bond proceeds covered the increase.
The new section helps create about 2.25 miles of continuous public riverfront from Spanish Plaza to Crescent Park. Sources describe it as one of the country’s longest contiguous riverfront parks. A stronger claim that it is the longest in the United States appears in project promotion, but the available reporting does not provide a comparative ranking of parks to establish that distinction.
Also popular on Amazon
- 【Great Compatibility】This Katerk 1/4 inch hex shank bit holder is specifically designed for 1/4 inch hex shank drill bits. It's compatible with most 1/4 fast hex handles, hex sockets, various electric screwdrivers, and handheld screwdrivers. The bit holder makes it a valuable addition for any handyman.
- 【Secure and Safe】Built with a secure backup nut design, each drill bit holder securely locks onto your bits, ensuring they stay firmly in place. Additionally, our bit holder incorporates a high-quality steel ball rolling design that holds up to several kilograms of weight, ensuring your various drill bits don't fall off.
- 【Easy One-Handed Operation】The bit holder for impact driver allows you to change bits single-handedly, simplifying your workflow. Its multi-color design further allows for quick identification of the drill bit you need.
- 【Compact and Convenient】Thanks to its compact size, this 1/4 inch bit holder is easy to carry around. The bit holder allows for easy attachment to various tools, making this a convenient addition to your construction accessories. The Katerk bit holder is cast from high-quality alloy material, promising a long product lifespan. Despite its rugged strength, the bit holder remains lightweight, making it portable.
- 【Cool Christmas Gift For Men Stocking Stuffers】 This screwdriver bit holder, driver bit holder, impact bit holder, can be given as a gift to your loved one, especially for anyone involved in construction or electrical work. It's a must-have for stocking stuffers for men and women, tools gifts for dad, tech gadgets for men, gifts for dad, gifts for him, gifts for husband, gifts for boyfriend, cool gadgets for men, and cool gifts for dad.
This connection belongs to a larger post-Hurricane Katrina vision, Reinventing the Crescent, which proposed more than six miles of continuous public space along the river. Crescent Park is a separate earlier project by EskewDumezRipple and Hargreaves Jones. The 2.25-mile figure refers to the connected riverfront route, not the acreage of the Governor Nicholls phase.
When is the next phase planned?
As of August 2026, Audubon had begun an approximately 18-month design process for the former Esplanade Avenue Wharf, with an opening targeted for the first half of 2029. The proposed phase covers 2.5 acres and includes part of a 100,000-square-foot warehouse. The final amount of warehouse to be removed and the project budget had not been decided in the August reporting.
Outdated Drivers Are Slowing You Down
One free scan finds every outdated or missing driver and matches the right update for your exact hardware.Free scan · exact hardware matchPC Slower Than It Used to Be?
A free scan shows the junk files, broken settings and background clutter dragging Windows down - then fixes them in one click.Free scan · Windows 10 & 11Early concepts shown at a public meeting included playgrounds, sports fields, restaurants, bars, and concert spaces. Those were possibilities, not a final program. Audubon has said revenue-generating uses could help fund ongoing care; neighborhood representatives raised concerns about noise, congestion, and over-commercialization. The Esplanade project is therefore still a design and community-planning effort, not a completed extension of the Governor Nicholls park.
What should visitors know before going?
Audubon posts these hours for the park: Sunday through Thursday, 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 6 a.m. to midnight. Nearby parking is pay-to-park and is not managed by Audubon. The park information page provides visitor maps and current practical details. A public restroom is available in the park; do not assume facilities in the Aquarium and Insectarium lobby are part of the Governor Nicholls pavilion.
Also popular on Amazon
- Toolwiz 17-inch magnetic sweeper maintaining a load capacity of up to 8.8 pounds provides a perfect solution to the problem of clearing small ferrous metal objects, such as nails, tacks, bolts, and metal shavings from workshops or garage floors.
- Convenient and portable：17” is good for home, small workshop, or small yard as it is space-saving and more reachable for narrow areas. Perfect for collecting nails or small parts in the car, under the table, and in other nooks or crannies.
- Upgraded Handle Design: The handle features a sturdy, non-telescopic design to completely prevent slipping during use. By simply adding or removing the extension poles, the height can be adjusted to 3 different lengths: 18.9" (48 cm), 32.5" (82.5 cm), and 42.5" (108 cm) from ground to top. This customizable height helps prevent back bending and muscle strain, making your cleaning tasks effortless
- Flexible wheels: Upgrade wheel screws to avoid being too tight to spin or too loose. More comfortable 3-inch rubber wheels roll smoothly on carpet, grass, concrete, and hardwood floors. Just push and pull this rolling magnet-sweeper to pick up metal nails easily.
- Lightweight materials: The magnetic nail sweeper's compact and lightweight design makes the sweeping can be done anywhere you want, Push or pull it under the furniture, passing through the workshop floor, driveway, mud, grass, and gravel.
Audubon’s posted rules require dogs to be leashed and under control. Amplified music requires a permit and is limited to 10 a.m.–10 p.m. and under 80 decibels. Commercial activity, including commercial photography and filming, requires authorization. Glass bottles, open flames and barbecues, unauthorized food trucks, drones, tents, canopies, stakes, fireworks, and several other activities are prohibited. The rules page cites New Orleans ordinances and describes a boundary from Canal Street to St. Peter Street, which corresponds to the older upriver park; the source does not clarify whether that written boundary has been extended to the newer wharf phases.
Audubon has announced a forthcoming waterfront dining and cocktail partnership with Crew, a hospitality group led by New Orleans natives Alex and Miles Pincus. The page gives no opening date, so visitors should not assume the venue is already operating. The park also offers event rentals through Audubon.
Recommended Free Tools
Who designed and delivered the project?
EskewDumezRipple led architecture, with Steve Dumez as director of design and Christian Rodriguez as principal-in-charge. Hargreaves Jones led landscape architecture. Audubon Nature Institute is the client and operator. The team’s consultants included Morphy, Makofsky for civil and structural work; Salas O’Brien for mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and audiovisual/IT; HLB Lighting Design; RSM Design for signage and wayfinding; and Broadmoor as general contractor.
The project extends the firms’ earlier work on the Reinventing the Crescent framework and on Crescent Park. Its central construction idea is unusually legible: keep a portion of the working wharf’s steel structure, adapt it for storms and public use, and organize new planting, play, and gathering spaces around the constraints of the existing platform.
Also popular on Amazon
- APPLY TO MOST DRILLS : 6 pieces screw extractors work with any drill and all the screw size or bolt (3-12mm), These extractor tools are used to reverse the damaged screw counterclockwise until it is released
- The DIY Tools for Men-Men won't know they need screw extractor set until they have one! This screw extractor set is GIFTS WRAP AVAILABLE, can be gifted to your loved ones as it reflects a fresh trend with fun and practical. Amazing and Unique tool gifts for men women. The must have stocking stuffers for men, gifts for dad, husband, father, him, guy teens, adult, Boyfriend, son on Birthdays, Christmas, Fathers Day or anniversary. Perfect Holiday Gifts Guide
- HIGH QUALITY - This damaged screw remover tool kit is made from High-Speed Steel H.S.S 4341# , which have high hardness of 63hrc, it's durable and easily to remove any damaged screws.
- EASY TO USE: Just two simple steps to get the job done - drill a hole with a cutting size using the right size screw extractor and easily remove the screw or bolt using the removal tool Hardness 63-65HRC: Titanium hardened steel material, more durable than most screw extractors on the market, better hardness and durability than others, buy with confidence and complete peace of mind
- Cool Gadgets for Men Dad Christmas Birthday Gifts for Men and Women - Men won't know they need screw extractor sets until they have one! Every screw has the potential to rust and break, which can create a situation where it cannot be removed. Owning it, there will be no anxiety about rusty screws. This screw extractor set is GIFTS WRAP AVAILABLE, can be gifted to your loved ones as it reflects a fresh trend with fun and practical. Amazing and unique tool gifts for men women. A must have stocking stuffer for men on birthdays, Christmas, Father's Day or anniversaries, a gifts for dads, husbands, fathers, him, adults, boyfriends, sons. The best and most practical and surprising Christmas gifts
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Goldring Woldenberg Riverfront Park free to enter?
The project and owner materials describe the park as public space and publish visiting hours, but they do not state a general admission fee. Parking nearby is paid and is not managed by Audubon.
Can I bring my dog to Governor Nicholls Wharf?
Audubon’s park rules say animals must be leashed and under control. Check the current park rules before visiting, since the posted geography is written around the older upriver section and the source does not clarify its extension to the newer wharf areas.
Can I rent the NOLA Front Porch for an event?
Audubon offers event rentals for Goldring Woldenberg Riverfront Park and describes the pavilion as a venue for gatherings. Availability, permitted activities, and fees should be confirmed directly through Audubon’s rental information.
Is the planned Esplanade Wharf project part of the completed park?
No. As of August 2026, it was in design, with an opening aim in the first half of 2029. Its final layout, retained warehouse area, and budget were still unresolved.
