Brechtel Park — Attraction in New Orleans

I called today to look into going to Brechtel Park on Easter Sunday with my family.

I was told that we cannot bring a small grill unless we rent a pavilion. When I asked how much pavilion rental is, I was told $175, plus a $200 deposit.

I am astounded. No wonder Brechtel Park is no longer used and is in the condition it is. Two years ago we were thinking about having a birthday party there for my daughter, and when we drove through to look at the various shelters, the park was so unkempt and overgrown we drove away shaking our heads. Who would pay to rent such a place?? Today, two years later, we gave it another chance and drove through again to see if the grass was cut, to consider going out there Sunday for Easter, and the grass happened to be getting cut today.

But $175 to rent a shelter with a couple of picnic tables? Not able to bring our town grill out unless we pay that ridiculous price? Because of the price and the condition of the park two years ago, we ended up going to Bayou Segnette and renting a pavilion for $40. Mel Ott Park rents pavilions for $50…and their park is well kept on a continuous basis. I could go out to City Park and set up a pop up tent and bring a grill…for free.

I am totally astounded that Brechtel Park, which was once such a great place to go when I was younger, has turned into what it has. Not kept up. Rental prices 3 times higher than other parks. Threat of being kicked out for bringing your own grill unless you pay the exorbitant price of pavilion rental.

Brechtel Park, and the City of New Orleans, should be ashamed. I have watched this park progressively go down over the years and now I know why. The City and the Parish needs to rethink the way this...

Brechtel Memorial Park A very large sprawling nature park tucked away in the Westbank neighborhoods. I feel I cannot do this park justice as it has a lot of potential but it also needs a lot of work. It's large, 110 acres complete with multiple pavilions, picnic areas, one playground, two bathrooms, two large ponds with a canal connecting them and several bridges and two baseball diamonds and the trailhead campground. It was first built in the 1970s damaged by the hurricanes in 2006 and 2008 and part of a rejuvenation to an ecological park in 2011.

This was a very exciting park. The grounds and trails are kept maintained and the bathroom closest to the road is open and maintained. The playground was well equipped with two different age group play areas and equipment. It is in a well shaded area next to the water with trash cans and benches.

There was a plethora of nature here. We went on a short hike down one of the trails over the bridge and saw two rabbits and a snake. The grass was a well kept height and the trails were clear with only a recently fallen tree on one section.

There was a man fishing, and several birds about the water but it was a distinctive orange color probably from low pH and bacteria from decomposing organic materials.

There was no charge on entering but sources say there used to be. The large wood carving at the right of the entrance called Whispering Giant was nice, I should have gotten a closer look and picture of it. Picnic tables were not in the best shape. The camp ground was closed and locked to traffic. The camp areas were overgrown and in need of repair. The pavilions were in good shape and perfect for parties, nature lessons or gatherings. I do want to come back and...

Nice neighborhood park been several times and had a great time. I like that my daughter can safely ride her bike without worrying about anyone speeding through. We went today and the lady at the booth was EXTREMELY RUDE! Prior to today there's never been anyone in the booth. Maybe I haven't been on a weekend, I'm not sure? Either way , I drove through and she yelled at us. I backed up and apologized , I told her no one has ever been in the booth when I've come. She told me it would be $2, didn't care to explain why we were being charged or anything else. I didn't have $2 cash so I told her we would turn around and leave. Upon leaving I Googled the park and noticed they charge on weekends and holidays. I don't know if the website is outdated or this lady is just charging people extra but the website CLEARLY states it's $1 for Orleans residents ,which we are. I wouldn't of cared but I did have $1 in cash and we could've gone in had she told us the correct information. Anyways she was miserable , rude, seems to hate her job and is possibly overcharging people. People like her do not need to be dealing with customers, it's a bad look...