Pontiff Playground
| Wally Pontiff Jr. Playground | |
|---|---|
 | |
 | |
| Location | Metairie, Louisiana |
| Opened | 1952 |
| Etymology | Wally Pontiff, Jr. |
| Website | jprd |
Wally Pontiff Jr. Playground, formerly Metairie Playground, is a Jefferson Parish public playground located at 1521 Palm Street in Metairie, Louisiana.[1][2] It is Jefferson Parish's oldest public playground.[3]
History
[edit]Origins
[edit]Development of Metairie Playground began in 1945, following the end of World War II and during a time of civic progress in Jefferson Parish.[4] The playground was dedicated in 1952.[4]
Namesake
[edit]The playground was renamed for Wally Pontiff Jr. on June 28, 2003 after his passing from a heart abnormality on July 24, 2002 at the age of 21.[3][5] He was the captain of the LSU Baseball team at the time of his passing and was heading into his senior year at LSU after being drafted by the Oakland Athletics in the 21st round of the 2002 Major League Baseball Draft.[5] Pontiff attended Jesuit High School and played youth baseball at Metairie Playground.[6] The LSU Baseball team played, The Pontiff Classic, in memory of Wally Pontiff Jr. every year from 2004 to 2019 and finally in 2022.[7]
Effects of Hurricane Katrina
[edit]Pontiff Playground was flooded in August 2005 during Hurricane Katrina, which ruined the gymnasium. After the storm, Jefferson Parish built an earthen berm around it to hold water in future emergencies.[8]
Sports
[edit]Baseball
[edit]The playground offers multiple baseball fields for team and recreational use.[9]
Basketball/Volleyball
[edit]The gymnasium is used for basketball games, volleyball games and other recreational uses.
Cross country
[edit]The Pontiff Playground cross country course is a 3-mile/4.83 km cross country course in and around Pontiff Playground.[10]
Football/Soccer
[edit]The playground has two football/soccer fields for team and recreational use.[9] The playground was the home football venue for the Metairie High School Yellowjackets from 1952 to 1954. The largest crowds were standing room only against Kenner High School in 1952 and against Behrman High School in 1954.
Softball
[edit]The playground offers multiple softball fields for team and recreational use.
Tennis
[edit]Tennis is played at the Pontiff Playground tennis courts.[11]
Track and field
[edit]A running track used for track and field meets is located in the playground.[9]
Playground amenities
[edit]The playground contains six baseball diamonds, two football fields, one track, two tennis courts, and a gymnasium.[9] In addition to these sports facilities a spray fountain, meditation labyrinth, meeting center, picnic shelters, playground equipment, dog park and bird sanctuary are located in the facility.[8][12]
Development Timeline
[edit]| Date | Action |
|---|---|
| 1945 | Development of Metairie Playground initiated[4] |
| 1952 | Dedication of Metairie Playground[4] |
| 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 |
| July 31, 2007 | The Friends of Pontiff Playground, Inc. announces reconstruction master plan |
Gallery
[edit]-
Wally Pontiff Jr. Playground Gymnasium -
Wally Pontiff Jr. Playground Stadium -
Wally Pontiff Jr. Playground Ball Fields -
Wally Pontiff Jr. Playground Ball Fields
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ Gisclair, S. Derby (2004). Baseball in New Orleans. Mount Pleasant, SC: Arcadia Publishing. ISBN 1439612579.
- ^ "Pontiff Playground". bestofneworleans.com. Retrieved March 10, 2018.
- ^ a b Campanella, Catherine (2013). Legendary Locals of Metairie. Mount Pleasant, SC: Arcadia Publishing. p. 94. ISBN 978-1467100601.
- ^ a b c d Bezou, Henry (1973). Metairie [A Tongue of Land to Pasture]. Gretna, LA: Pelican Publishing Company. ISBN 1565542797.
- ^ a b "Autopsy finds Pontiff had heart abnormality". espn.com. July 29, 2002. Retrieved May 24, 2025.
- ^ "Ballpark Renamed for Wally Pontiff". wafb.com. June 25, 2003. Retrieved May 24, 2025.
- ^ "Remembering Wally Pontiff Jr. ahead of final Pontiff Classic". wdsu.com. April 19, 2022. Retrieved May 24, 2025.
- ^ a b "A New Vision for Pontiff Playground". nola.com. Retrieved March 9, 2007.
- ^ a b c d "Wally Pontiff Jr. Playground". pontiffbluedevils.com. Retrieved March 10, 2018.
- ^ "Pontiff Playground CC". usatf.org. Retrieved March 10, 2018.
- ^ "Pontiff Playground Tennis Courts". neworleansonline.com. Retrieved March 10, 2018.
- ^ "New dog park opens in Old Metairie". nola.com. Retrieved March 10, 2018.
External links
[edit]29°58′45″N 90°08′23″W / 29.979075°N 90.139604°W
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- American football venues in Louisiana
- Athletics (track and field) venues in Louisiana
- Baseball venues in Louisiana
- Basketball venues in Louisiana
- Cross country running courses in Louisiana
- Soccer venues in Louisiana
- Softball venues in Louisiana
- Tennis venues in Louisiana
- Volleyball venues in Louisiana
- High school football venues in Louisiana
- Parks in Louisiana
- Tourist attractions in Jefferson Parish, Louisiana
- Sports venues completed in 1952
- 1952 establishments in Louisiana
- Buildings and structures in Metairie, Louisiana
- Sports in Jefferson Parish, Louisiana
- Louisiana geography stubs