St. Bernard Parish Government Officials recently celebrated the grand opening of Blue Bird Park Playground in Chalmette Vista Subdivision.

Bluebird Park, located at 24 E. Chalmette Circle, emphasizes special needs facilities and a universal playground design that the entire family can enjoy together. The final design, developed by RCL Architecture, features 34 different accessible play unit components including a sensory play center, spinners, a roller slide, specialty swings, and a central play structure. The park also features an accessible covered picnic area, an off-street parking lot, and specially designed handicapped restrooms.

St. Bernard Parish District B Councilman Nathan Gorbaty said “the park restores a neighborhood facility destroyed by Katrina and incorporates special accessibility features based on public input and guidance from the Parish’s Americans for Disability Act Advisory Committee. We are also grateful for community support from Chalmette Refinery, who helped to make this project possible.”

This project was made possible through a $300,000.00 federal Community Development Block Grant administered by the Louisiana Office of Community Development and $100,000.00 of local funds. An additional grant of $150,000.00 was received from a long-time corporate partner, Chalmette Refinery-PBF Energy for environmentally friendly project components like recycled benches and landscaping.

St. Bernard Parish President Guy McInnis said: “This park is a wonderful addition to the neighborhood parks that will enhance the community and improve the quality of life for our residents.”

The park was constructed by NFT Group, LLC at a cost of approximately $485,000.00.