NEWS RELEASE
JEFFERSON PARISH, LOUISIANA
April 30, 2021
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
JPRD HOSTS “COME BACK TO OWENS” EVENT ON SAT. MAY 1, 2021
All invited to enjoy free food and music while learning about new programming
JEFFERSON, LA – On Saturday, May 1, 2021 from 12 p.m. – 4 p.m., the Jefferson Parish Parks and Recreation Department (JPRD), in collaboration with Council District 3, will be hosting a “Come Back to Owens” event to mark a new beginning for Jesse Owens Playground (11101 Newton St., River Ridge, LA 70123).
Late last year, JPRD identified Jesse Owens as a playground that needed special attention to address a lack of public support and a decline in athletic and leisure program participation from Parish residents in the District. Beginning in January, JPRD started monthly meetings, led by Recreation Director, Mario Bazile, with playground staff and community members in an effort to understand the community's needs and to help initiate a fresh start. As a result, many improvements were made to the playground, including facility renovations and upgrades to the greenspace, opening the gym for free play and updating available onsite athletics and programming.
The event on Saturday will include free food and music for all to enjoy, and residents will have the opportunity to sign up for sports, summer camps and leisure classes. This event will serve as a one-stop-shop for residents to not only sign up for programming/athletics, but to also create a JPRD ID while onsite. Parents/guardians will need to bring a state issued ID/Driver’s License, proof of residency/employment and a copy of their child’s birth certificate or baptism records in order for JPRD to create an ID.
“JPRD would like to thank all of the sponsors of this event, the JPRD staff and Councilman Byron Lee’s office,” said Mario Bazile. “We look forward to the continued revitalization of Jesse Owens Playground.”
There are a number of community organizations that are joining together to donate and assist with this event, including: Blue Runner Foods, Inc, McAlister’s Deli, Raising Canes, Open Door Travel Agency, Acadian Ambulance Services, Jefferson Parish Diversity and Inclusion Board, NOLA Gold Rugby, Owens Trojan Booster Club, Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office, Hancock Whitney Bank, Jefferson Parish Public Library, Audubon Nature Institute, Custom Apparel and Stratus Building Solutions.
For more information about JPRD, visit www.JPRD.org. For more information about Jefferson Parish, visit www.JeffParish.net. Residents can also receive regular updates by following the Parish on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram (@JeffParishGov) or by texting JPALERT or JPNOTICIAS to 888-777.
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Jefferson Parish Public Information Office 1221 Elmwood Park Boulevard, Suite 1002 Jefferson, LA 70123 |
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Gretchen Hirt Gendron, PIO |
