Wally Pontiff Jr. Playground, formerly Metairie Playground, is a Jefferson Parish public playground located at 1521 Palm Street in Metairie, Louisiana

Metairie, Louisiana

Metairie is a census-designated place in Jefferson Parish, Louisiana, United States and is a major part of the New Orleans Metropolitan Area. Metairie is the largest community in Jefferson Parish. It is an unincorporated area that would be larger than most of the state's cities if it were...

. It is Jefferson Parish's oldest public playground.

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. Wally grew up playing baseball at Metairie playground. Before an unexpected death at the age of 21, Wally was deciding whether to continue his career at LSU or to play for the Oakland Athletics after being drafted in the 21st round.

Effects of Hurricane Katrina

Hurricane Katrina

Hurricane Katrina of the 2005 Atlantic hurricane season was a powerful Atlantic hurricane. It is the costliest natural disaster, as well as one of the five deadliest hurricanes, in the history of the United States. Among recorded Atlantic hurricanes, it was the sixth strongest overall...

 

Pontiff Playground was flooded in August 2005 during Hurricane Katrina

Hurricane Katrina

Hurricane Katrina of the 2005 Atlantic hurricane season was a powerful Atlantic hurricane. It is the costliest natural disaster, as well as one of the five deadliest hurricanes, in the history of the United States. Among recorded Atlantic hurricanes, it was the sixth strongest overall...

, which ruined the gymnasium. After the storm, Jefferson Parish built an earthen berm

Berm

A berm is a level space, shelf, or raised barrier separating two areas. Berm originates in the Middle Dutch and German berme and came into usage in English via French.- History :...

 around it to hold water in future emergencies.

Development Timeline

Date	Action
1945	Development of Metairie Playground initiated
1952	Dedication of Metairie Playground
June 28, 2003	Dedication ceremony held at 10 a.m. renaming Metairie Playground the Wally Pontiff, Jr. Playground
August 29, 2005	Hurricane Katrina strikes New Orleans, severely damaging Pontiff Playground
August 1, 2007	The Friends of Pontiff Playground, Inc. holds a meeting to discuss the proposed reconstruction master plan

Possible Future Layout

If the 2007 proposed reconstruction of the playground is completed, the park will contain 6 baseball diamonds, 2 football fields, 1 track, 2 tennis courts, and a gymnasium. In addition to these sports facilities, a new meditation labyrinth, spray fountain, and bird sanctuary will be built.

Sports

Athletic Standouts include: Taylor Bacques with Track and Field, James Sampognaro with Basketball,and most notably Parker Ryan, a Multi-sport threat in his time.